Ethnomedicinal uses of plants for various diseases in the remote areas of Changa Manga Forest, Pakistan / Usos etnomedicinais de plantas para várias doenças nas áreas remotas da Floresta Changa Manga, Paquistão

This study aims at reporting the indigenous knowledge of the medicinal flora from the inhabitants of surroundings of the World's largest artificial planted forest "Changa Manga", Pakistan. Data were collected by direct interviews and group meetings from 81 inhabitants including 32 local healers having information regarding the use of indigenous medicinal plants over a period of one year. Different statistical tools were applied to analyze the data including Frequency citation (FC), Relative frequency citation (RFC), Use Value, Factor of informants consensus and fidelity level. This study reported 73 plant species belonging to 37 plant families and 46 genera. The majority of plant species belong to compositae family. The most commonly used medicinal plants were P. hysterophorus L., P. dactylifera L., S. indicum L, P. harmala L., P. emblica L., and A. indica A.Juss. The greatest number of species was used to cure gastrointestinal disorders. The highest fidelity level (68.18%) was of E. helioscopia to cure gastrointestinal disorders. Maximum fresh uses (17) were reported by C. dactylon (L.) Pars. While the highest number of species reporting fresh uses in similar number was 13. In this study, five novel plants are being reported for the first time in Pakistan for their ethnomedicinal worth. Our data reflect unique usage of the medicinal plants in the study area. The statistical tools used in the study proved useful in pointing the most important and disease category specific plants. High use value plant and the new reported medicinal plants might prove an important source of the isolation of pharmacologically active compounds.

Este estudo tem como objetivo relatar o conhecimento indígena sobre a flora medicinal dos habitantes do entorno da maior floresta artificial plantada do mundo, a Changa Manga, no Paquistão. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas diretas e reuniões em grupo de 81 habitantes, incluindo 32 curandeiros locais, com informações sobre o uso de plantas medicinais indígenas durante o período de um ano. Diferentes ferramentas estatísticas foram aplicadas para analisar os dados, incluindo citação de frequência (FC), citação de frequência relativa (RFC), valor de uso, fator de consenso dos informantes e nível de fidelidade. Este estudo relatou 73 espécies de plantas pertencentes a 37 famílias de plantas e 46 gêneros. A maioria das espécies de plantas pertence à família Compositae. As plantas medicinais mais utilizadas foram P. hysterophorus L., P. dactylifera L., S. indicum L., P. harmala L., P. emblica L. e A. indica A. Juss. O maior número de espécies foi usado para curar distúrbios gastrointestinais. O maior nível de fidelidade (68,18%) foi de E. helioscopia para cura de distúrbios gastrointestinais. Os usos máximos em fresco (17) foram relatados por C. dactylon (L.) Pars. enquanto o maior número de espécies relatando usos frescos em número semelhante foi de 13. Neste estudo, cinco novas plantas estão sendo relatadas pela primeira vez no Paquistão por seu valor etnomedicinal. Nossos dados refletem o uso exclusivo das plantas medicinais na área de estudo. As ferramentas estatísticas utilizadas no estudo mostraram-se úteis para apontar as plantas mais importantes e específicas da categoria de doença. Plantas de alto valor de uso e as novas plantas medicinais relatadas podem ser uma importante fonte de isolamento de compostos farmacologicamente ativos.

Ethnomedicinal uses of plants for various diseases in the remote areas of Changa Manga Forest, Pakistan.

This study aims at reporting the indigenous knowledge of the medicinal flora from the inhabitants of surroundings of the World's largest artificial planted forest "Changa Manga", Pakistan. Data were collected by direct interviews and group meetings from 81 inhabitants including 32 local healers having information regarding the use of indigenous medicinal plants over a period of one year. Different statistical tools were applied to analyze the data including Frequency citation (FC), Relative frequency citation (RFC), Use Value, Factor of informants consensus and fidelity level. This study reported 73 plant species belonging to 37 plant families and 46 genera. The majority of plant species belong to compositae family. The most commonly used medicinal plants were P. hysterophorus L., P. dactylifera L., S. indicum L, P. harmala L., P. emblica L., and A. indica A.Juss. The greatest number of species was used to cure gastrointestinal disorders. The highest fidelity level (68.18%) was of E. helioscopia to cure gastrointestinal disorders. Maximum fresh uses (17) were reported by C. dactylon (L.) Pars. While the highest number of species reporting fresh uses in similar number was 13. In this study, five novel plants are being reported for the first time in Pakistan for their ethnomedicinal worth. Our data reflect unique usage of the medicinal plants in the study area. The statistical tools used in the study proved useful in pointing the most important and disease category specific plants. High use value plant and the new reported medicinal plants might prove an important source of the isolation of pharmacologically active compounds.

Serum Zinc, Copper, Magnesium & Phosphorus Level in Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).

Malnutrition is widely prevalent among hospitalized children in most developing countries including Bangladesh. Though malnutrition accounts for the high rate of under 5 mortality sometimes it is overlooked. Keeping in this in mind A comparative cross sectional study was done in Mymensingh Medical College Hospital from 1st October 2009 to 31st May 2011. Children aged 1-5 years with presence of one or more criteria WHM <70%, WHZ-score <-3SD, Bipedal edema & Mid upper arm circumference <110mm were taken as study group and children aged 1-5 years with normal growth allowable normal range of variation is between 3rd and 97th centile curve or median (50th centile) ±2SD of weight for age growth chart (CDC growth chart, USA, 2000) were taken as reference group. Persistent diarrhea, Patients taking medications containing zinc, copper, magnesium, phosphorus & calcium, PEM with shock were excluded from study group. Nutritional assessment was done according to WHO criteria of SAM. Serum Zinc, Copper Magnesium and Phosphorus level were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry using UNICAM - AA Spectrometer, model no. 969, Spain. Total 120 study populations were taken. Ninety Out of 120 were taken as a study group (SAM) & 30 were reference group. In reference group serum Zn, Cu, Mg, P value was 103.80±8.86µg/dl, 135.92±13.57µg/dl, 2.31±0.18mg/dl, 3.96±0.22mg/dl respectively. In study group serum Zn, Cu, Mg, P value was 60.33±11.08µg/dl, 80.60±15.46µg/dl, 1.47±0.22mg/dl, 2.00±0.52mg/dl respectively. All these results show that there is significant difference between study group & reference group. Considering the decreased level of these parameters, close biochemical monitoring and follow up should be emphasized for the children with SAM.

Efficacy of Peppermint oil in diarrhea predominant IBS - a double blind randomized placebo - controlled study.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder which is associated with considerable sufferings of patient and Peppermint oil is volatile oil, its active principle is menthol-contain a cyclic monoterpine which has anti-spasmotic properties due to its ability to block calcium channel of intestinal smooth muscles. This study observed the efficacy of peppermint oil for relieving the symptoms and changes of quality of life (QOL) in diarrhea predominant IBS. This was a prospective double blind randomized placebo-controlled study conducted in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University during July 2008 to September 2009. Patients who fulfilled ROME II were initially selected but those had red flag signs or any organic disease was excluded from the study. Seventy four patients were enrolled in the study and randomly allocated to receive either peppermint oil or placebo three times daily for six weeks. Changes of symptoms were assessed three week interval during treatment and two weeks after the end of treatment. Data were analyzed by paired and unpaired 't' test. Finally sixty five patients completed the trial. It was observed that, at six weeks of therapy abdominal pain is markedly improved (mean±SD) 4.94±1.30 in peppermint oil group compared with 6.15±1.24 in placebo group and the difference was statistically highly significant (p>0.001). But two weeks after end of trials pain score again increased (6.09±1.93). Other symptoms and quality of life did not improve significantly. So the study result concludes that peppermint oil is effective in reliving only abdominal pain in diarrhea predominant IBS transiently.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Angiopteris evecta.

The leaves, stem bark, stem heart wood, root and tubers of Angiopteris evecta were successively extracted with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol. All the fractions exhibited a wider spectrum of antibacterial activity. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions of the leaves and stem bark were particularly good and were the only fractions exhibiting antifungal activity. All fractions of the tuber with the exception of petrol, exhibited very good antibacterial activity.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Breynia cernua.

The Breynia cernua leaves, stem and root barks and heart-woods extracted with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol gave fractions with varied level of antimicrobial activity. The best activity was exhibited by the methanol extract of the root bark followed by its butanol fraction. These were the only fractions exhibiting a good level of antifungal activity as compared to the standard. The dichloromethane fraction of the stem bark also demonstrated good activity.

Antimicrobial activity of the Maniltoa schefferi extracts.

All fractions of Maniltoa schefferi exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Good activity was demonstrated by the petrol and dichloromethane fractions of seed pods, seeds with coat and by methanol fractions of stem heartwood, root bark, root heartwood and stem bark whose butanol fraction was equally good. None of the fractions showed any antifungal activity.

Antimicrobial activity of the Derris elliptica, Derris indica and Derris trifoliata extractives.

Various parts of Derris elliptica, Derris indica and Derris trifoliata on fractionation with a number of solvents (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol) gave fractions which demonstrated a varied level of broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Good activity was exhibited by the methanol fractions of the leaves and root heart-wood, petrol, butanol and methanol fractions of the root bark of D. indica and petrol and ethyl acetate fractions of D. trifoliata. None of the plants showed antifungal activity.

Antibacterial activity of Galeola foliata.

Galeola foliata leaves and stem bark were successively extracted with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol. A broad spectrum antibacterial activity (24 bacteria and protozoan) was exhibited by both parts. A very good level of activity was demonstrated by the CH2Cl2 and EtOAc fractions. None of the fractions were active against the moulds.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Euroschinus papuanus.

The crude methanolic extracts of the leaves, stem bark, stem heart wood, root bark and root heart wood of Euroschinus papuanus and the fractions obtained on partitioning with petrol, dichloromethane (D), ethyl acetate (E) and butanol (B), exhibited a broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Fractionation drastically enhanced the activity. Excellent activity was demonstrated by the E fractions of stem heart wood, D of root bark, and E of root heart wood. Antifungal activity was exhibited by the B fractions of leaves, stem heartwood and root bark.

Antimicrobial activity of extractives of Sarcocephalus coadunatus.

The methanolic extracts and the fractions (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol) obtained from the leaves, seeds, stem and root barks of Sarcocephalus coadunatus exhibited a high level of broad spectrum antibacterial activity. The activity was more pronounced in the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the leaves; ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the seeds; dichloromethane fractions of the stem bark and the ethyl acetate fractions of the root bark. None of the fractions showed any antifungal activity.

Antibacterial activity of Alstonia scholaris and Leea tetramera.

The crude methanolic extracts of the leaves, stem and root barks of Alstonia scholaris and Leea tetramera on partitioning (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol) gave fractions exhibiting improved and broader spectrum of antibacterial activity. Especially the butanol fractions of A. scholaris and the root bark of L. tetramera. None of the fractions were active against the fungi tested.

1-(3-Hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-methylphenyl) ethanone, a new compound from the stem bark of Lamprothamnus zanguebaricus.

The chloroform extract of the stem bark of Lamprothamnus zanguebaricus has yielded two ethanones; 1-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)ethanone (I) (a new compound) and 1-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)ethanone (II). The structures of both compounds were established by spectroscopic methods.

Antibacterial activity of Pterocarpus indicus.

The leaves, root and stem barks of Pterocarpus indicus were successively partitioned with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol. All the fractions exhibited a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity. The activity was more pronounced in the butanol and methanol fractions. None were active against the moulds.

Antibacterial activity of Artocarpus heterophyllus.

The crude methanolic extracts of the stem and root barks, stem and root heart-wood, leaves, fruits and seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus and their subsequent partitioning with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol gave fractions that exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. The butanol fractions of the root bark and fruits were found to be the most active. None of the fractions were active against the fungi tested.

Antimicrobial activity of Terminalia complanata and Flacourtia zippelii.

A broad spectrum of antibacterial activity was exhibited by the methanol extracts of leaves, root and stem barks of Terminalia complanata and Flacourtia zippelii and their subsequent fractions (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate). Fractionation enhanced the activity particularly in the ethyl acetate fractions of the stem and root barks of T. complanata. No activity was observed against the moulds.

Antimicrobial activity of Calophyllum soulattri.

The methanol extracts of leaves, root and stem barks of Calophyllum soulattri were partitioned with petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate. The extracts demonstrated a range of antibacterial activity, improved on fractionation. None were found to be active against the moulds.

Antimicrobial activity of Michelia champaca.

The methanol extracts of leaves, seeds, stem and root barks, stem and root heart-woods of Michelia champaca and the obtained fractions (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol) exhibited a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity. Fractionation drastically enhanced the level of activity particularly in all fractions of the stem bark and dichloromethane fraction of the root bark. Some fractions of the leaves, stem and root barks demonstrated antifungal activity against some of the tested moulds. Liriodenine was the active constituent of the root bark, with a broader and, in some cases, better level of activity as compared to the standard.

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of Dracontomelon dao.

The crude methanolic extracts of the leaves, stem and root barks of Drancantomelon dao and their subsequent partitioning (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol) gave fractions which demonstrated a very good level of broad spectrum antibacterial activity. The dichloromethane and butanol fractions of the leaf were the most active. Only the leaf fractions had antifungal activity, particularly the dichloromethane and butanol.

Antibacterial, antifungal activity of Harpullia petiolaris.

The methanol extracts of Harpullia petiolaris, leaves, stem and root barks and heartwoods were fractionated into petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol. All fractions exhibited antibacterial activity.