Quantification of Actaea racemosa L. (black cohosh) from some of its potential adulterants using qPCR and dPCR methods.

The demand for popular natural health products (NHPs) such as Black Cohosh is increasing considerably, which in turn challenges quality assurance (QA) throughout the supply chain. To detect and quantify the target species present in a given NHP, DNA-based molecular techniques such as Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and digital PCR (dPCR) are standard tools in the food and pathogen testing industries. There is a gap in the literature concerning validated quantitative PCR methods for botanicals that can be utilized for QA and good manufacturing practices. The objective of this study is to develop an efficient quantification method using qPCR and dPCR techniques for the detection and quantification of Actaea racemosa (Black cohosh) NHPs from its potential adulterants. These developed methods are validated for applicability on commercial NHPs. Species-specific hydrolysis probe assays were designed to analyze the black cohosh NHPs using qPCR and dPCR techniques. The results confirmed that the developed qPCR and dPCR methods are highly precise for identifying and quantifying black cohosh NHPs, indicating their potential applicability in future routine industrial and laboratory testing. This enables a single qPCR test to determine not only the presence of a specific botanical, but also the amount when mixed with an adulterant.

Etnobotánica farmacéutica en la Sierra de Grazalema / Etnobotânica farmacêutica em Grazalema / Pharmaceutical Ethnobotany in Grazalema

La pérdida de los saberes tradicionales acumulados durante miles de años, que han servido para garantizar la supervivencia de las comunidades, supone un impacto cultural que provoca el plantearse la importancia y necesidad de recopilar éstos conocimientos antes de su desaparición. Por otra parte, el Parque Natural Sierra de Grazalema (Cádiz) es un territorio protegido (Reserva de la Biosfera desde 1977 y Parque Natural desde 1984) que cuenta con una amplia variedad de especies vegetales y cuya poblacion está estrechamente ligada al medio. El aprovechamiento que tradicionalmente se ha realizado de sus recursos vegetales y animales ha sido el sustento económico y social de la zona, favoreciendo la conservacion de la misma y, sin embargo, no existen trabajos etnobotánicos especificos previos. Este trabajo pretende contribuir a la recuperacion del patrimonio cultural tradicional sobre el uso de las plantas que los habitantes de la Sierra de Grazalema han desarrollado durante largo tiempo (AU)

A perda do conhecimento tradicional, que tem sido acumulado durante milhares de anos e que tem contribuido para a sobrevivencia das comunidades, pode originar um impacto cultural que faz com que se reconsidere a importancia e a necessidade de reunir esse conhecimento antes do seu desaparecimento total. Alem disso, o Parque Natural Serra de Grazalema (Cádiz) e uma área protegida (Reserva da Biosfera desde 1977 e Parque Natural desde 1984), que apresenta uma grande variedade de especies vegetais, e cuja populagáo está intimamente ligada ao meio ambiente. O aproveitamento que tradicionalmente se tem realizado com os seus recursos vegetais e animais tem sido o sustento economico e social da regiáo, favorecendo a preservagáo dos mesmos, porem, sem haver trabalho etnobotenico especifico anterior. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de contribuir para a recuperagáo do patrimonio cultural tradicional sobre o uso de plantas que os habitantes da Serra de Grazalema desenvolveram durante muito tempo (AU)

The loss of the traditional knowledge, that has been accumulated during thousands of years and that has contributed to the survival of the communities, implies a cultural impact that causes the reconsideration of the significance and the need of gathering this knowledge before its total disappearance. On the other side, the Natur l Park Sierra de Grazalema (Cádiz, Spain) is a protected area (Biosphere Reserve since 1977 and Natural Park since 1984) with a wide variety of plant species that are closely linked to the environment. The traditional utilisation of its plant and animal resources has been the economic and social support of the area, a fact contributing to its preservation but, however, there are not previous specific ethnobotanical works. This work tries to contribute to the recovery of the traditional cultural heritage related to the use of plants that the inhabitants of the Sierra de Grazalema have developed during a long time (AU)

Herbalists of Today's Switzerland and Their Plant Knowledge. A Preliminary Analysis from an Ethnobotanical Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Herbal medicine is a popular part of primary health care in Switzerland. Following an ethnobotanical approach, in this study we seek to identify Swiss herbalists with broad, empirical medicinal plant knowledge and use. We aim to consider different areas of the medicinal landscape including biomedicine, complementary and alternative medicine, and self-medication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 61 expert interviews were conducted from February 2010 to November 2011. The transfer of knowledge was analyzed according to a Switzerland-related selection of historical and recent popular as well as scientific herbal books. RESULTS: A total of 254 medicinal plant species, belonging to 218 genera and 87 families, were recorded in 934 use reports. Predominantly leaves and flowers are used for the treatment of dermatological, respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal problems. Recent to historical herbal books are an important source of plant knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Medicinal plants are used for self-medication and professional health care and despite different underlying medicinal concepts and philosophies, herbalists largely agree on the most important medicinal plant species.

New categories for traditional medicine in the Economic Botany Data Collection Standard.

The Economic Botany Data Collection Standard (EBDCS) has been successfully followed by ethnobotanists investigating plant uses in many parts of the world. However, we have encountered some cases in our study of traditional medicine where the standard seems incomplete and inaccurate when it is applied to plant uses of rural or indigenous societies in developing countries. We propose two categories to be added to the EBDCS: Cultural Diseases and Disorders, and Ritual/Magical Uses. Adding these categories, we believe will give a more accurate insight into traditional medicine and will contribute to developing an integrative ethnomedicinal data collection protocol, which will make ethnomedicinal studies more comparable.

Etnobotânica de espécies de erva-de-passarinho ou visco (famílias Loranthaceae e Viscaceae) / Ethnobotany of mistletoes species (families Lo - ranthaceae and Viscaceae )

Este artículo efectúa una compilación etnobotánica y etnofarmacológica de los "muérdagos", especies pertenecientes a las familias botánicas de las Lorantáceas y Viscáceas. Desde los primeros registros de uso popular en el norte de Europa y el Reino Unido, cerca de un centenar de citas demuestran que el uso medicinal de estas especies es cosmopolita. Se emplea básicamente por vía oral y también la aplicación de la planta fresca en forma tópica. Lo más utilizado es la hoja, seguido de las preparaciones de planta entera. Las especies más destacadas son las ue pertenecen a los géneros Loranthus y Struthanthus (Lorantáceas) y Phoradendron y Viscum (Viscáceas). 27 citas señalaron el uso de estas plantas para el tratamiento de trastornos cardiovasculares, seguido de los de las vías respiratorias y la inflamación en general, con 25 y 24 citas, respectivamente. La información recopilada también permite hacer consideraciones sobre la aplicación oncológica de Viscum album, que es la especie de muérdago con mayor tradición de uso y respaldo científico. Un reciente análisis de la literatura existente, realizado por la Agencia Europea del Medicamento concluyó que la inconsistencia de las respuestas farmacológicas, la inaplicabilidad de los hallazgos toxicológicos reportados y la variabilidad química de los extractos desaconsejan la elaboración de una monografía con el fin de validar su uso en el área cardiovascular tradicional de esta especie. Este estudio puede contribuir a organizar mejor el escenario de la información tradicional y científica sobre las especies de muérdago, buscando el progreso de esta cuestión (AU)

This article brings an ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological compilation of mistletoe, belonging to the botanical families Loranthaceae and Viscaceae. From the earliest records of folk use in northern Europe and the UK, about a hundred quotes demonstrate that the medicinal uses of these species are cosmopolitan. These basically employ ingestion and topical applications prepared with the fresh plant. The most used part of the plant is the leaves, followed by preparations with the whole plant. The most prominent species belong to genera Loranthus and Struthanthus (Loranthaceae), and Phoradendron and Viscum (Viscaceae). As for medicinal use, 27 citations concern the specie to treat cardiovascular disorders, followed by disorders of the respiratory tract and inflammation in general with 25 and 24 citations, respectively. This compilation also allowed raising considerations about the oncologic application of Viscum albumas the traditional specie in long-term use and steadier scientific backing, although this therapy is outside the scope of the pharmacopoeias and regulation of herbal supported by traditional use. A recent detailed analysis by the European Medicines Agency concluded that the inconsistency in pharmacological responses, the inapplicability of the reported toxicological findings, and the chemical variability of V. album extracts are impediments to support their pharmacopoeia monograph and validate its traditional use in the cardiovascular area. Thus, this survey can contribute to better organizing the scenario of traditional and scientific information on mistletoe species, aiming the progress of this issue (AU)

Plant identification credibility in ethnobotany: a closer look at Polish ethnographic studies.

BACKGROUND: This paper is an attempt to estimate the percentage of erroneously identified taxa in ethnographic studies concerning the use of plants and to propose a code for recording credibility of identification in historical ethnobotany publications. METHODS: A sample of Polish-language ethnobotanical literature (45 published sources from 1874-2005) and four collections of voucher specimens (from 1894-1975) were analyzed. Errors were detected in the publications by comparing the data with existing knowledge on the distribution of plant names and species ranges. The voucher specimens were re-examined.A one-letter code was invented for quick identification of the credibility of data published in lists of species compiled from historical or ethnographic sources, according to the source of identification: voucher specimen, Latin binominal, botanical expert, obvious widespread name, folk name, mode of use, range, physical description or photograph. To test the use of the code an up-to-date list of wild food plants used in Poland was made. RESULTS: A significant difference between the ratio of mistakes in the voucher specimen collections and the ratio of detectable mistakes in the studies without herbarium documentation was found. At least 2.3% of taxa in the publications were identified erroneously (mean rate was 6.2% per publication), and in half of these mistakes even the genus was not correct. As many as 10.0% of voucher specimens (on average 9.2% per collection) were originally erroneously identified, but three quarters of the identification mistakes remained within-genus.The species of the genera Thymus, Rumex and Rubus were most often confused within the genus.Not all of the invented credibility codes were used in the list of wild food plants, but they may be useful for other researchers. The most often used codes were the ones signifying identification by: voucher specimen, botanical expert and by a common name used throughout the country. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the rigorous use of voucher specimens in ethnobotany, although they also reveal a relatively high percentage of misidentified taxa in the specimens studied.The invented credibility coding system may become a useful tool for communication between historical ethnobotanists, particularly in creating larger databases.

Uso medicinal de Atractylis gummifera en Guadiana del Caudillo (Badajoz, España), toxicidad y especies afines / Medicinal use of Atractylis gummifera L. in Guadiana del Caudillo (Badajoz, Spain): toxici- ty and related species

Un estudio etnomédico llevado a cabo en Guadiana del Caudillo, pueblo de colonización de Badajoz, detectó el uso de la planta Atractylis gummifera L. que entre los años 1983 y 1984 provocó graves intoxicaciones en esta provincia. Dicha especie vegetal fue confundida con Centaurea ornata Willd., una planta de morfología similar, carente de toxicidad, de la cual se utiliza popularmente la decocción de la raíz y el rizoma para el tratamiento de afecciones gástricas.En el presente trabajo se analizan las especies que pueden ser confundidas con Atractylis gummiferapor parte de los usuarios de la medicina popular de dicha localidad. Igualmente se realiza una estimación del riesgo de confusión y la consiguiente posibilidad de intoxicaciones, en el área de estudio. Se presentan también las actividades programadas para contribuir a la planificación de la salud pública y a la asistencia médica en la zona (AU)

A study on Ethnomedicine in Guadiana del Caudillo, a colonization village located in the province of Badajoz, Spain, registerered the use of Atractylis gummifera L., which in the years 1983 and 1984 caused serious poisoning in the province. This plant species was confused with Centaurea ornata Willd., a similar non-toxic plant, the root and rhizome of which are used as infusion or decoction as a popular remedy against gastric disorders. In this paper we analyze the species that users of folk medicine in this locality could confuse with the mentioned toxic plant. It also provides an estimate on the potential risk of poisoning in the studied area. Finnally, the paper also aims to contribute to the planning of public health and medical care actions in the area (AU)

Investigaciones farmacognósticas sobre la flora panameña / Pharmacognostic investigations of the Panamanian Flora

Las plantas representan un reservorio extraordinario de moléculas novedosas yhoy en día hay un renovado interés en el reino vegetal como una posible fuente denuevas moléculas cabezas de serie por su introducción en los programas de cribado.La flora de Panamá es una de las más ricas en el mundo y su potencialeconómico y medicinal aún no se ha explotado completamente. Los resultados mássobresalientes logrados en los proyectos multinacionales financiados por la Organizaciónde los Estados Americanos, la Unión Europea, la Fundación Internacionalpara la Ciencia, el Programa CYTED, y el Programa Internacional Colaborativo deGrupos de Biodiversidad (ICBG), indican que la Flora de Panamá es, sin dudaalguna, una fuente valiosa de moléculas líderes para la industria farmacéutica.Se presentan el desarrollo histórico y el estado actual de las investigacionesfarmacognósticas sobre la flora panameña realizadas durante los últimos treintaaños. Específicamente se discutirán los estudios etnobotánicos sobre Amerindiosde las etnias Kuna, Ngöbe Buglé y Teribes o Naso; la evaluación farmacológica delas plantas medicinales usadas en la medicina folklórica y cribado de plantas paraactividades inter alia anticáncer, antiparasitarias y antifúngicas de centenares deplantas y el aislamiento y caracterización de moléculas bioactivas. Se han aisladomás de 390 compuestos químicos de los cuales 111 corresponden a nuevos compuestosno reportados en la literatura mundial

Plants represent an extraordinary reservoir of novel molecules and currently ;;there is a renewed interest in plant kingdom as a source of novel lead compounds ;;for screening libraries. The flora of Panama is one of the richest in the world, ;;whose medical and economic potential has not been fully explored. Results from ;;multinational projects financed by the Organization of American States, European ;;Union, International Foundation for Science, CYTED Program, and International ;;Biodiversity Cooperative Groups (ICBG) reveal that the Panamanian flora is undoubtedly ;;a valuable source of lead molecules for the pharmaceutical industry. ;;Historical development and the current status of pharmacognostic research ;;on Panamanian flora carried out during the last 30 years are presented. Specifically, ;;ethnobotanical inventories of three Amerindians groups Kuna, Ngöbe-Buglé ;;and Teribes (Naso), pharmacological evaluation of plants used in folk medicine ;;and screening of plants for anticancer, antifungal and antiparasitic activities and ;;isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds are described. To date over ;;390 compounds have been isolated from the Panamanian Flora, of which 111 are ;;new to world literature

Actividad citotoxica de plantas medicinales usadas por el grupo étnico boliviano Tacana / Cytotoxic activity of medicinal plants used by the Takana ethnic group in Bolivia

Pregunta de investigación ¿ Las plantas utilizadas en la Medicina Tradicional por los Tacanas manifiestan actividad citotóxica in vitro con el test de la sulforodamina? Objetivos. Determinar la actividad citotóxica in vitro de extractos de plantas utilizadas en la Medicina Tradicional por los Tacanas. Lugar. Población Tacana, IBBA. Métodos. Cultivo de lineas celulares humanas, KB (carcinoma nasofaringeo), HeLa (carcinoma cervical)Ensayo colorimétrico de sulforodamina B, in vitro. Resultados. 118 extractos etanólicos de especies vegetales estudiadas in vitro utilizadando dos lineas tumorales humanas. 14 especies vegetales mostraron actividad citotóxica in vitro. De la 14 especies citotóxicas, 12 especies vegetales presentaron Cl50<- a 10ug/ml. Conclusión. 13 porciento de las plantas estudiadas presentaron actividad citotóxica, pese a no ser seleccionadas por su uso tradicional como anticancerígenos, pues, la actividad anticancer de las plantas estudiadas no consta en la medicina tradicional de los Tacanas. La actividad antitumoral, antioxidante y antimutagénica dae las especies citotóxicas en este trabajo y otras especies diferentes, per, de los mismos géneros estudiados fue reportada por científicos de otras latitudes, lo que nos podría indicar que los principios activos serian comunes en estos géneros, permitiéndonos indentificar nuevas fuentes de medicamentos. Todas las especies activas merecen estudios complementarios.

Francisco Vélez de Arciniega en la polémica de la coloquíntida

Se presenta la edición y estudio de un manuscrito escrito en 1611 por Francisco Vélez de Arciniega sobre el uso de la Coloquíntida ( Citrullus colocynthis (L) Schrader). Purgante enérgico, constituían objeto de controversia tanto su interés como la forma de aplicación. Vélez de Arciniega, notable boticario, buen conocedor de la farmacia antigua y moderna, participa en una interesante discusión científica que muestra la modernización del uso de los medicamentos (AU)