Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Tehuledere District, Northwest Ethiopia.

Medicinal plants have constituted a fundamental aspect of human health and wellness for millennia. The objective of this study was to document medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock ailments in the Tehuledere District. The data were collected using semistructured interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations with local informants. Preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, and informant consensus factor were used for data analysis. A total of 63 medicinal plant species belonging to 59 genera and 41 families were documented. The predominant families identified were Lamiaceae and Asteraceae, each containing 6 and 5 species, respectively. Of the recorded medicinal plants, 53 (80.95%) species were used for human ailments, whereas 12 (19.05%) species were used for animal health issues. Among the recorded medicinal plant species, shrubs constitute the highest number with 35% species. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves, accounting for 59% of remedies targeting human ailments. The administration of herbal treatments was primarily oral, aimed at addressing various diseases. The most significant threat to these medicinal plants was attributed to agricultural expansion, followed by the collection of firewood. The aim of documenting the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases was to capture traditional practices, with species such as Eucalyptus globulus, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, and Lepidium sativum serving as the foundational basis for future pharmacological studies. It is imperative to prioritize the conservation of Laggera tomentosa and Urtica simensis to safeguard biodiversity and the cultural traditions associated with these endangered species. Engaging local communities in the management and conservation of plant resources, along with the preservation of their traditional knowledge, presents a cost-effective and sustainable solution.

Sustaining Traditional Ethnomedicinal Knowledge and Protected Areas in Synergy: A Case Study of Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary in Kashmir Himalaya.

The ethnic communities living near protected areas are critically dependent on medicinal plants for their healthcare. Although several ethnomedicinal studies are available from the Himalaya, quantitative studies focusing on protected areas in this region are largely overlooked. In this study, we aimed to document the ethnomedicinal plants of the Overa-Aru wildlife sanctuary in Kashmir Himalaya. We conducted a systematic field survey in the study area during 2020 - 2021 to collect primary data from 110 participants through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The data was analyzed using quantitative indices and Pearson's correlation. We recorded 64 plant species used against 8 human disease categories, including some first-time reports from the region. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most dominant families and herbs were the dominant growth form. The most common plant part used were leaves, and the main method of preparation was decoction. Plant species with the highest relative frequency of citation was Achillea millifolium (0.83). Informant consensus factor for each disease category ranged from 0.94 to 0.97. We found a strong positive correlation between participants' age and citations (r = 0.85), but a negative correlation between the participants' education status and citations (r = - 0.11). Our results revealed that the younger generation possesses the least ethnomedicinal information. We recommend that the species with high use values and fidelity level merit priority in phytochemical and pharmaceutical studies. Our findings highlight that protected areas, besides their prime importance in biodiversity conservation, play a pivotal role in providing the healthcare provisioning ecosystem services to the ethnic communities.

Can Artemisia herba-alba Be Useful for Managing COVID-19 and Comorbidities?

The focus of this roadmap is to evaluate the possible efficacy of Artemisia herba-alba Asso. (Asteraceae) for the treatment of COVID-19 and some of its symptoms and several comorbidities using a combination of in silico (molecular docking) studies, reported ethnic uses, and pharmacological activity studies of this plant. In this exploratory study, we show that various phytochemicals from Artemisia herba-alba can be useful against COVID-19 (in silico studies) and for its associated comorbidities. COVID-19 is a new disease, so reports of any therapeutic treatments against it (traditional or conventional) are scanty. On the other hand, we demonstrate, using Artemisia herba-alba as an example, that through a proper search and identification of medicinal plant(s) and their phytochemicals identification using secondary data (published reports) on the plant's ethnic uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities against COVID-19 comorbidities and symptoms coupled with the use of primary data obtained from in silico (molecular docking and molecular dynamics) studies on the binding of the selected plant's phytochemicals (such as: rutin, 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and schaftoside) with various vital components of SARS-CoV-2, it may be possible to rapidly identify plants that are suitable for further research regarding therapeutic use against COVID-19 and its associated symptoms and comorbidities.

The Botanical, Chemical and Ethnobotanical Diversity of Southern African Lamiaceae.

The Lamiaceae is undoubtedly an important plant family, having a rich history of use that spans the globe with many species being used in folk medicine and modern industries alike. Their ability to produce aromatic volatile oils has made them valuable sources of materials in the cosmetic, culinary, and pharmaceutical industries. A thorough account of the taxonomic diversity, chemistry and ethnobotany is lacking for southern African Lamiaceae, which feature some of the region's most notable medicinal and edible plant species. We provide a comprehensive insight into the Lamiaceae flora of southern Africa, comprising 297 species in 42 genera, 105 of which are endemic to the subcontinent. We further explore the medicinal and traditional uses, where all genera with documented uses are covered for the region. A broad review of the chemistry of southern African Lamiaceae is presented, noting that only 101 species (34%) have been investigated chemically (either their volatile oils or phytochemical characterization of secondary metabolites), thus presenting many and varied opportunities for further studies. The main aim of our study was therefore to present an up-to-date account of the botany, chemistry and traditional uses of the family in southern Africa, and to identify obvious knowledge gaps.

Plants Used for the Traditional Management of Cancer in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: A Review of Ethnobotanical Surveys, Ethnopharmacological Studies and Active Phytochemicals.

Cancer occurrence is rapidly increasing all over the world, including in developing countries. The current trend in cancer management requires the use of herbal remedies since the majority of anticancer drugs are known to be costly, with unwanted side effects. In the Eastern Cape province, the use of medicinal plants for cancer management has been climbing steadily over the past two decades due to their cultural belief, low cost, efficacy, and safety claims. With the aim of identifying some potential anticancer plants for probable drug development, this study was undertaken to review plants reported by ethnobotanical surveys in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa for the traditional management of cancer. Information regarding plants used for cancer management in the Eastern Cape province was obtained from multidisciplinary databases and ethnobotanical books. About 24 plant species belonging to twenty families have been reported to be used for the traditional management of cancer in the Eastern Cape province. Among the anticancer plant species, only 16 species have been explored scientifically for their anticancer activities. This review authenticated the use of anticancer plant species in the Eastern Cape province and, therefore, identified several promising unexplored species for further scientific evaluation.

Traditional medicines and their common uses in central region of Syria: Hama and Homs - an ethnomedicinal survey.

CONTEXT: Since ancient times, traditional Arabic medicine (TAM) has been used to treat various diseases in Syria. They are cost-effective with fewer side effects and are more suitable for long-term use compared with chemically synthesized medicines. In addition, the scientific importance is manifested, as this survey proceeds, for the purposes of verifying and documenting these traditional medicines and their common uses. OBJECTIVE: We conducted ethnobotanical and ethnomedicine research on plants traditionally used to treat various diseases in central region of Syria. METHODS: Information was collected from 2019 to 2021 from the cities of Homs and Hama and their villages, which are two governorates located in central Syria, after interviews with traditional practitioners called Attarin, and many other people. Plant specimens were collected according to different references concerning medicinal plants of Syria, to document the traditional uses of plants at least two of the traditional healers and three other people were asked. RESULTS: In this survey, we listed 76 medicinal plants belonging to 39 families in alphabetical order with the parts used and the method of preparation according to their therapeutic use, which are used to treat 106 ailments. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the uses of medicinal plants mentioned in this survey are still under study. There is no doubt that this study will provide new data that could contribute to further pharmacological discoveries by identifying the active ingredients and their mechanism of effect by doing additional pharmacological work to confirm the alleged biological activities of these plants.

Ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, biological activities and toxicity of Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima: A comprehensive review.

Pistacia chinensis subsp. integerrima (J. L. Stewart ex Brandis) Rech. F. is a valuable medicinal plant used in south Asian communities for the treatment of asthma, diarrhea, diabetes, liver diseases, fever, pain and inflammation. This review critically evaluates the available information on P. integerrima's ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. Electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer Link, and so forth, books and theses were used to find relevant information about P. integerrima using keywords such as "Pistacia integerrima," "P. integerrima," "Ethnopharmacology," "Phytochemistry," "Traditional uses". A number of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities have been reported; however, the most promising and attractive activity observed was its role in Alzheimer, diabetes, convulsions, cancer, asthma, diabetes, diarrhea and as an immunomodulatory, analgesic and antiinflammatory. In addition, Pistagremic acid exerted anti-Alzheimer's activity based on a hitherto unknown mechanism through interference with the amyloidogenic pathway. Most of the pharmacological activities were linked with traditional uses. A range of compounds have been reported from P. integerrima extracts including triterpenes, volatile oils, flavonoids, fatty acids, phenolic, phytosterols, tannins and oligosaccharides as well as unknown triterpenes and flavonoids. Pistagremic acid, a novel triterpene, was attributed to most of the activities. in vivo toxicological studies in animal suggested a toxic dose of 1,500 mg kg-1 , for its methanolic extract. All reported pharmacological activities were carried out in vitro and a gap in research, that is, preclinical and clinical investigation exists. Its outstanding activity as an antiglycating agent is the most promising and a so far unique activity and needs further evaluation. In-depth research and clinical trials on human subjects in order to investigate P. integerrima pharmacological activity, clinical efficacy and safety are crucial next steps.

Albizia Adianthifolia: Botany, Medicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Properties.

The bark, leaves, and roots of Albizia adianthifolia are highly sought after in tropical Africa as herbal medicines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the botany, medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of A. adianthifolia so as to provide baseline data required for evaluating the therapeutic potential of the species. Information on the botanical profile, medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of A. adianthifolia was undertaken using databases such as ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Pubmed, Google Scholar, Medline, SCOPUS, EThOS, ProQuest, OATD, and Open-thesis. Preelectronic literature search of conference papers, scientific articles, books, book chapters, dissertations, and theses was carried out at the University library. Literature search revealed that A. adianthifolia is used as purgative and herbal medicine for diabetes, eye problems, gastrointestinal problems, haemorrhoids, headache, neurodegenerative disorders, reproductive problems in women, respiratory problems, wounds and pain, skin diseases, sexually transmitted infections, and ethnoveterinary medicine. Phytochemical compounds identified from the species include apocarotenoids, chalcone, dipeptide, elliptosides, essential oils, fatty acids, flavonoids, histamine, imidazolyl carboxylic acid, prosapogenins, steroids, triterpene saponins, and triterpenoids. Pharmacological studies revealed that A. adianthifolia extracts and compounds have acetylcholinesterase enzyme inhibitory, anthelmintic, antiamoebic, antibacterial, antimycobacterial, anti-sexually transmitted infections, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anxiolytic, and antidepressant, cognitive-enhancing, haemolytic, hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxicity activities. Detailed studies on the pharmacokinetics, in vivo, and clinical research involving compounds isolated from A. adianthifolia and extracts of the species are required.

Phytotherapy in the Management of Diabetes: A Review.

Phytotherapy has long been a source of medicinal products and over the years there have been many attempts to use herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes. Several medicinal plants and their preparations have been demonstrated to act at key points of glucidic metabolism. The most common mechanisms of action found include the inhibition of α-glucosidase and of AGE formation, the increase of GLUT-4 and PPARs expression and antioxidant activity. Despite the large amount of literature available, the actual clinical effectiveness of medicinal plants in controlling diabetes-related symptoms remains controversial and there is a crucial need for stronger evidence-based data. In this review, an overview of the medicinal plants, which use in the management of diabetes is supported by authoritative monographs, is provided. References to some species which are currently under increasing clinical investigation are also reported.

The predictive utility of the plant phylogeny in identifying sources of cardiovascular drugs.

CONTEXT: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death globally, responsible for over 17 million (31%) deaths in the world. Novel pharmacological interventions may be needed given the high prevalence of CVD. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to find potential new sources of cardiovascular (CV) drugs from phylogenetic and pharmacological analyses of plant species that have experimental and traditional CV applications in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reconstructed the molecular phylogeny of these plant species and mapped their pharmacological mechanisms of action on the phylogeny. RESULTS: Out of 139 plant species in 71 plant families, seven plant families with 45 species emerged as phylogenetically important exhibiting common CV mechanisms of action within the family, as would be expected given their common ancestry: Apiaceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Rosaceae and Zingiberaceae. Apiaceae and Brassicaceae promoted diuresis and hypotension; Fabaceae and Lamiaceae had anticoagulant/thrombolytic effects; Apiaceae and Zingiberaceae were calcium channel blockers. Moreover, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Rosaceae and Zingiberaceae species were found to possess anti-atherosclerotic properties. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The phylogeny identified certain plant families with disproportionately more species, highlighting their importance as sources of natural products for CV drug discovery. Though there were some species that did not show the same mechanism within the family, the phylogeny predicts that these species may contain undiscovered phytochemistry, and potentially, the same bioactivity. Evolutionary pharmacology, as applied here, may guide and expedite our efforts in discovering sources of new CV drugs.

Toxic effect of common poisonous plants of district Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The present paper was a part of Ph.D research work, conducted during the year 2014, in which 87 poisonous plants belonging to 54 genera, were collected, documented and preserved in the herbarium of Bannu, Department of Botany UST, Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkwa Pakistan. The plants were identified botanically, arranged alphabetically along with their Latin name, family name, common name, poisonous parts, toxicity, affects, toxin and their effects. Aim of the study was to induce awareness in the local people of district Bannu about the poisonous effects of the commonly used plants. Data about poisonous effect were collected from the local experienced and mostly old age people through questionnaire. Some information were collected from a number of veterinary texts and literature. The most important plants genera studied in the area were Brassica 6 species (11.11%), Lathyrus 5 spp (9.26%), Astragalus, Euphorbia and Prunus were with 4 spp (7.40%). Datura, Jatropha, Ranunculus, Solanum and Sorghum were with 3 spp (5.56%) while Allium, Amaranthus, Chenopodium, Melilotus and Taxus were with 2 spp (3.70%). These 15 genera contribute 48 species (55.17 %) while the remaining 39 genera have single species each and contribute 44.83% to the total poisonous flora of the research area. Other important poisonous plants were Anagallis arvensis L., Cannabis sativa, Datura stramonium L., D. metel L., Euphorbia species, Heliotropium europaeum, Ipomoea tricolor, Jatropha curcas, Lolium temulentum L., Malus domestica, Mangifera indica L., Medicago sativa L., Melilotus alba Desr., M. officinalis (L.) Lam., Mirabilis jalapa L., Narcissus tazetta, Nicotiana tabacum L., Sorghum halepense (L) Pers., and Xanthium strumarium. It was concluded that the local population had poor knowledge about the poisonous effect of the plants and the present research work was anticipated for use by health care professionals, veterinarians, farmers, homeowners, as well as botanically curious individuals.

Ethnobotanical Study.

Ethnobotany is the study of interrelationships between human cultures and plants, animals, and other organisms in their environment. It also creates an awareness of the link between biodiversity and cultural diversity. From the beginning of civilization, people have been using plants for various purposes like food, shelter, medicines, etc. Ethnobotanists play a key role in exploring these kinds of information from indigenous people which creates a gateway for formulating a novel drug. The content in this chapter deals with these aspects in an approachable manner.

Ethnobotanical research of medicinal plants in Mihalgazi (Eskisehir, Turkey).

CONTEXT: Human beings have long utilized plants for medicinal purposes. Investigation of these plants has led to the discovery of several modern drugs. OBJECTIVE: This paper documents and evaluates traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used by the local people of Mihalgazi district of Eskisehir, Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six villages of the study area were visited between February 2014 and April 2015 to collect the data. One hundred and eighty-nine informants were interviewed by the survey method and face to face semi-structured interviews. Taxonomic identification, the most commonly used plant parts, preparation and administration methods were evaluated. Ethnomedicinal data were analyzed quantitatively with relative importance (RI) and the informant consensus factor (FIC). RESULTS: This paper reported a total of 52 medicinal plants (37 wild, 15 cultivated) belonging to 34 families. Some uses of 22 plants were not found in the literature and are reported for the first time in this study. Furthermore, one of the plants, Calamagrostis arundinacea (L.) Roth (Poaceae), was reported for the first time as being used within the scope of traditional therapies. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study recorded traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used in Mihalgazi, Turkey. This paper provides a basis for further investigations to discover efficient pharmaceuticals.

A model on how to obtain data from botanical practitioners.

OBJECTIVE: This paper addresses the challenge on how to obtain information from practitioners with experience in using medicinal plants. BACKGROUND: Collecting information on medicinal uses of plants is very challenging; since botanical remedies are used within the context of multiple differing medical systems, practitioners differ in training from Western physicians and scientists, and active ingredients of botanicals vary with preparation method, growth, and harvest conditions. DESIGN/METHODS: A model on how useful data on safety and efficacy can be obtained from botanical practitioners is presented, based on methods developed by the association of anthroposophic physicians in Europe, a system of integrative medicine which includes the use of botanicals and is practiced mostly by medical doctors. RESULTS: Decades of experience by hundreds of practitioners are summarized and made accessible in a manual, which alphabetically lists the most commonly used botanicals and describes the most successful therapeutic experiences which could be confirmed by several of the contributing practitioners. CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE: This approach of continuous, multilingual systematic collection of successful therapeutic experiences within a community of practitioners with similar goals and a common therapeutic framework can be used not only for the training of successful future botanical practitioners, but also for helping to identify promising botanicals for scientific research and to further their development, and could support their official registration with governing bodies in countries of their use. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Botanicals for Epilepsy".

The "how" and "why" of including gender and age in ethnobotanical research and community-based resource management.

This paper examines the process and outcome of participatory methods for stakeholder identification. We used focus group style participatory methodology to engage local residents in identifying key sub-groups relevant to conservation in Boumba, Niger. We then conducted a quantitative pictorial recognition study to measure the diversity of local useful plant knowledge across groups. The community identified six gender and age-class groupings relevant to the study. The effect of a participant's gender, socially-defined age class or the interaction of the two factors on the number of plants recognized varied by plant use. Medicinal plant knowledge was highest among elders. Food plant knowledge of food plants increased with age for women only. Where as the interaction of age and gender was strongest on fodder plant knowledge, where mid-aged men scored highest. We reflect on the impact that heterogeneity of local botanical knowledge has on our understanding of local natural resource use and the strengths of using a participatory approach to identifying the stakeholder groups which underlie this heterogeneity.

Ornamental exterior versus therapeutic interior of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus): the two faces of a versatile herb.

Catharanthus roseus (L.) known as Madagascar periwinkle (MP) is a legendary medicinal plant mostly because of possessing two invaluable antitumor terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs), vincristine and vinblastine. The plant has also high aesthetic value as an evergreen ornamental that yields prolific blooms of splendid colors. The plant possesses yet another unique characteristic as an amiable experimental host for the maintenance of the smallest bacteria found on earth, the phytoplasmas and spiroplasmas, and serves as a model for their study. Botanical information with respect to synonyms, vernacular names, cultivars, floral morphology, and reproduction adds to understanding of the plant while the geography and ecology of periwinkle illustrate the organism's ubiquity. Good agronomic practices ensure generous propagation of healthy plants that serve as a source of bioactive compounds and multitudinous horticultural applications. The correlation between genetic diversity, variants, and TIA production exists. MP is afflicted with a whole range of diseases that have to be properly managed. The ethnobotanical significance of MP is exemplified by its international usage as a traditional remedy for abundant ailments and not only for cancer. TIAs are present only in micro quantities in the plant and are highly poisonous per se rendering a challenge for researchers to increase yield and reduce toxicity.

Ethnoveterinary medicines in four districts of Jimma zone, Ethiopia: cross sectional survey for plant species and mode of use.

BACKGROUND: Traditional medicines have been used for nearly 90% of livestock populations in Ethiopia where complimentary remedies are required to the modern health care system. All plants with pharmacological activity complimentarily prescribed as best choice against livestock diseases. A community based cross - sectional survey was conducted to investigate ethno-veterinary knowledge and practices of study area by purposive sampling techniques. The data from respondents were collected through face-to face interview using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires, which was further accompanied by field observations of the medicinal plants. The vast majority of the statistics were analyzed descriptively by SPSS 16 Windows version to extrapolate our findings in ethno-botanical knowledge. RESULTS: In the study, a total of 74 species of ethnoveterinary medicinal plant species from 31 families have been identified for treating 22 different livestock ailments. The three families: Asteraceae, Cucurbitaceae and Solanaceae make up larger proportion of reported medicinal plants which accounted for 10.41%, 8.33% and 6.25%, respectively. Of reported medicinal plants, 16.7% informant consensus was recorded for the species Croton macrostachyus Del., 10.7% for Nicotiana tabacum L. and 9.5% for Olea capensis L.Subsp. macrocarpa (C.H. Wright) I.Verd. in treatment of one or more veterinary ailments. The greater varieties of medicinal plant species that accounted for 28.2% were used against management of blackleg which was common livestock diseases in the study area. The findings showed, trees accounted for 43.24%, followed by shrubs (33.78%) and herbs (14.86%). Eighty one percent of medicinal plants reported by respondents were collected from wild habitats, and leaves reported to be used by 68% of the informants for ethnoveterinary medicines preparations. The preparations were applied through different routes of administration; oral administration accounted for (76.2%), followed by application of topical (9.53%) and nasal (5.19%). CONCLUSIONS: Ethnoveterinary practices significantly suggested to play greater roles in livestock health care as an alternative or integral part of modern veterinary practices. The traditional knowledge in treatment of livestock diseases of the study districts needs further scientific evaluations by phytochemical and antimicrobial experimentation to determine safety, efficacy, mode of delivery, drug development and dosage in pharmacological laboratory.

Use and diversity of palm (Arecaceae) resources in Central Western Brazil.

Arecaceae Schultz-Sch. (Palmae Juss.), a member of the monocotyledon group, is considered one of the oldest extant angiosperm families on Earth. This family is highly valuable because of its species diversity, its occurrence in a wide range of habitats, and its status as an integral part of the culture and the family-based economy of many traditional and nontraditional communities. The main objectives of this study were to perform an ethnobotanical study involving these palms and a "Quilombola" (Maroon) community in the municipality of Cavalcante, GO, Brazil. The variables gender, age, and formal schooling had no influence on the number of species recognized and used by the Kalungas. Ethnobotanical studies based on traditional knowledge in addition to use and management of palms are fundamental aspects for planning and appliance of public policies directed to the use of natural resources and improvement of life quality.

Exploring the benefits of wild plants in dietary nutrition: investigating perspectives, choices, health impacts and sustainable practices.

BACKGROUND: This ethnobotanical study in Dunyapur, District Lodhran, Pakistan, focuses on traditional medicinal knowledge, exploring 41 plants across 28 families. The research involves 496 informants from diverse backgrounds, including farmers, herbalists, housewives, teachers, and shopkeepers. The prevalence of herbs (68%) aligns with their accessibility and rapid regrowth, shaping the local medicinal landscape. The study investigates socio-demographic features, emphasizing the importance of considering the community's diverse perspectives. METHODS: The research employs quantitative ethnobotanical data analysis, introducing various indices like PPV, FUV, FIV, RFC, UV, and RI. The analysis of plant growth habits underscores the dominance of herbs, and the method of preparation evaluation identifies decoction as the most common (23%). Leaves (27%) are the most utilized plant part, and Resedaceae stands out with the highest FUV (0.38). FIV highlights the ecological and cultural significance of Poaceae, Boraginaceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae. RESULTS: The RFC values range from 0.016 to 0.032, with Cucumis melo having the highest value (0.032), indicating its frequent citation and cultural significance. The study reveals specific plants like Melia azedarach, Peganum harmala and Salvadora oleoides with high PR values for skin issues, reflecting their widespread acceptance and effectiveness. Oligomeris linifolia emerges with the highest UV (0.38), emphasizing its greater significance in local traditional practices. Leptadenia pyrotechnica records the highest RI (9.85), underlining its exceptional importance in the community's traditional pharmacopeia. CONCLUSION: The findings offer a holistic understanding of ethnobotanical knowledge in Dunyapur, emphasizing the role of local contexts and ecological factors in shaping traditional plant uses. The study contributes valuable insights into the diverse practices within the community, laying the foundation for sustainable integration of traditional knowledge into broader healthcare frameworks.

Bridging local and scientific knowledge for area-based conservation of useful plants in Colombia.

While the importance of interdisciplinary approaches is increasingly recognised in conservation, bridging knowledge systems across scales remains a fundamental challenge. Focusing on the Important Plant Areas (IPA) approach, we evaluate how complementing scientific and local knowledge can better inform the conservation of useful plants in Colombia. We worked in three municipalities to investigate knowledge on useful plant richness, species composition and use types, as well as perceptions on area-based plant conservation approaches. Participatory focus groups and ethnobotanical walks-in-the-woods were undertaken with local communities, while scientific data were represented by occurrence records from global data aggregators and digitised collections. A total of 1190 species with human uses were reported. Combining knowledge systems provided the richest understanding of useful plants but the relative contribution of each system varied between study areas, influenced by the history of scientific studies, socio-ecological context and study design. Meanwhile, local perceptions of how conservation areas should be selected differed from global IPA criteria. These results show that working with local communities can improve biological understanding for spatial conservation planning. Additionally, participatory approaches must move beyond community-based conservation and data collection, to inform the design of global conservation programmes.

RESUMEN: Si bien la importancia de los enfoques interdisciplinarios se reconoce cada vez más en la conservación, articular los sistemas de conocimiento a través de sus escalas sigue siendo un desafío fundamental. Centrándonos en el enfoque de Áreas Importantes para Plantas (AIP), evaluamos cómo la integración entre conocimiento científico y local puede mejorar la información para la conservación de las plantas útiles en Colombia. Trabajamos en tres municipios para investigar el conocimiento sobre la riqueza de plantas útiles, la composición de especies y los tipos de uso, así como las percepciones sobre los enfoques de conservación de plantas basados en áreas. Se llevaron a cabo grupos de enfoque participativos y caminatas etnobotánicas en el bosque con las comunidades, mientras que los datos científicos se representaron mediante registros de ocurrencia de agregadores de datos globales y colecciones digitalizadas. En total se reportaron 1.190 especies con usos humanos. La combinación de sistemas de conocimiento proporcionó la comprensión más rica de las plantas útiles, pero la contribución relativa de cada sistema varió entre las áreas de estudio, influenciada por la historia de los estudios científicos, el contexto socioecológico y el diseño del estudio. Por otra parte, las percepciones locales sobre cómo se deben seleccionar las áreas de conservación difirieron de los criterios globales de las AIP. Estos resultados muestran que trabajar con las comunidades locales puede mejorar la comprensión biológica para la planificación de la conservación espacial. Además, los enfoques participativos deben ir más allá de la recopilación de datos y la conservación basada en la comunidad, para instruir el diseño de programas de conservación global.