Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Diversity and Chemical Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 July 2023) | Viewed by 38126

Special Issue Editors

Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria
Interests: medicinal plants; flora; phytochemistry; biochemistry; pharmacological activities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
Interests: natural products; food chemistry and analytical chemistry; clinical nutrition; phytochemistry and phytotherapy; supplement and nutraceutical formulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a forthcoming Special Issue of Diversity focused on the biodiversity and chemical diversity of medicinal plants, with an emphasis on ethnobotany. The priceless traditional knowledge of the healing properties of plants provides the background for modern pharmacological and toxicological tests. Also, the rich cultural heritage related to medicinal plants inspires the investigation of the chemical diversity of medicinal plants. The assessment of wild resources of medicinal plants is a crucial point for sustainable use. Native populations of many medicinal plants are at risk due to various factors, including habitat loss, ecological degradation, overharvesting and pollution,  and this deserves research efforts: of course, cultivation is the best approach to provide sufficient raw materials of consistent quality for pharmaceutical and cosmetic natural products in a sustainable way. It also has the added advantage of reducing the natural chemical diversity that exists in natural populations and thus the standardization process goes easier and more efficient. Most medicinal plant species as well as crops depend on pollinators for their reproduction. At the same time, it is well known that the numbers of pollinators, and in particular wild bees, are declining. One of the reasons is the indiscriminate application of chemical pesticides. Traditional plant knowledge may help to identify  biopesticides that can be incorporated into agricultural practice.

This special issue seeks to integrate the latest research on traditional herb knowledge with the modern pharmacology and phytochemistry trends. It is crucial to preserve wild populations of medicinal plants and develop management strategies for their sustainable use. We kindly invite you to submit a manuscript focused on any of the above topics. Although specific case studies with broad implications are welcome, we encourage authors to submit large-scale and/or multi-species studies, syntheses and reviews. If you are interested in this opportunity or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Prof. Dr. Ekaterina Kozuharova
Dr. Ina Yosifova Aneva
Prof. Dr. Luca Rastrelli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology
  • pharmacological tests based on traditional knowledge
  • phytochemistry
  • resources of medicinal plants
  • sustainable use of medicinal plants
  • cultivation and biotechnology
  • ethnobotany and biopesticides

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 4141 KiB  
Article
Ethnobotanical Survey on Plants Used to Manage Febrile Illnesses among Herbalists in Casablanca, Morocco
by Amal Dagni, Ramona Suharoschi, Simona-Codruta Hegheș, Rodica Vârban, Oana Lelia Pop, Romana Vulturar, Adriana Fodor, Angela Cozma, Abdelaziz Soukri and Bouchra El Khalfi
Diversity 2023, 15(7), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070879 - 24 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1048
Abstract
Plants have been recognized since antiquity in Morocco as a heritage and a remedy for a variety of ailments with a diverse range of pharmacological effects. The current work is ethnomedicinal research conducted to collect herbalists’ knowledge about plants utilized in traditional medicine [...] Read more.
Plants have been recognized since antiquity in Morocco as a heritage and a remedy for a variety of ailments with a diverse range of pharmacological effects. The current work is ethnomedicinal research conducted to collect herbalists’ knowledge about plants utilized in traditional medicine to treat febrile illnesses. In Casablanca, Morocco, 105 herbalists provided information. The data were examined using seven quantitative indices: The Fidelity Level (FL), Use Value (UV), Frequency of Citation (FC), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). During the current investigation, twenty-two different species of medicinal plants from eleven families have been reported as being used to treat fevers. The most recommended plant with a high Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC = 0.15) is Dysphania ambrosioides L., which indicates the importance of this species in controlling fever, especially when it is combined with Citrus × limon (L.) Osbeck (RFC = 0.139). Hence, the use of these plants was compared to the literature review. This research contributed to documenting and preserving important Moroccan traditional herbalists’ knowledge about plants used to cure febrile illnesses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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20 pages, 5585 KiB  
Article
Ethnobotanical Research on Dye Plants Used by the Baiyi Indigenous Peoples’ from Heqing County, Dali, Yunnan, China
by Rong Yang, Shengji Pei, Yuying Xie, Xiuxiang Yan, Angkhana Inta and Lixin Yang
Diversity 2023, 15(7), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070856 - 15 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1432
Abstract
With the advantage of being eco-friendly, plant dyes have been noticed by textile practitioners and the public. However, as a result of the rapid advancements in industrial manufacturing, the traditional knowledge of plant dyes is dying, which demands heightened attention and protection. To [...] Read more.
With the advantage of being eco-friendly, plant dyes have been noticed by textile practitioners and the public. However, as a result of the rapid advancements in industrial manufacturing, the traditional knowledge of plant dyes is dying, which demands heightened attention and protection. To document this traditional knowledge in the Baiyi community, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 288 informants from four villages (Five stars village, Hedong village, Nanpo village, and Shang’ eping village) of the Liuhe Yi Nationality Township, Heqing County, Dali Prefecture. Based on the ethnobotanical investigation of plant dyes, there were 11 plant species from 11 genera in 10 families that have been used as dyes. The Baiyi Indigenous peoples mainly extract the dye from the roots, leaves, fruits, etc., of the herbaceous plants. Through quantitative analysis, the frequency of use (f value) and cultural importance indices (CI value) of Viburnum cylindricum are the highest. The optimal conditions for dyeing cotton fabric with V. cylindricum were found to be a pH of 5, dyeing for 30 min at 60 °C by an orthogonal array design. As for the dyeing properties, biomordants provided better properties when used in dyeing cotton fabric with V. cylindricum compared with metallic mordants. This study reveals the great potential of the application of plant dyes in the Baiyi Indigenous peoples community; it will be beneficial to the economic development of ethnic areas, the inheritance of ethnic culture and the protection of biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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15 pages, 2557 KiB  
Article
Traditional Knowledge of Textile Dyeing Plants: A Case Study in the Chin Ethnic Group of Western Myanmar
by Tial C. Ling, Angkhana Inta, Kate E. Armstrong, Damon P. Little, Pimonrat Tiansawat, Yong-Ping Yang, Patcharin Phokasem, Za Khai Tuang, Chainarong Sinpoo and Terd Disayathanoowat
Diversity 2022, 14(12), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14121065 - 02 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2831
Abstract
Traditional knowledge of the plants used for textile dyeing is disappearing due to the utilization of synthetic dyes. Recently, natural products made from plants have gained global interest. Thus, preserving traditional knowledge of textile dyeing plants is crucial. Here, we documented this knowledge [...] Read more.
Traditional knowledge of the plants used for textile dyeing is disappearing due to the utilization of synthetic dyes. Recently, natural products made from plants have gained global interest. Thus, preserving traditional knowledge of textile dyeing plants is crucial. Here, we documented this knowledge by interviewing 2070 informants from 14 communities of the Chin ethnic group of Myanmar. The Chin communities we interviewed used a total of 32 plant species for textile dyeing from 29 genera in 24 families. Chromolaena odorata, Lithocarpus fenestratus, and L. pachyphyllus were the most important dye species. The most common responses described dyes that were red in color, produced from leaves, derived from tree species, collected from the wild, and used as firewood ash as a mordant to fix the dye to the fabrics. According to the IUCN Red List of threatened species, one species was registered as Data Deficient, 20 species still needed to be categorized, and 11 species were categorized as Least Concern. This study will help re-establish the use of natural dyes, encourage the cultural integrity of the indigenous people, and serve as an example for other communities to preserve their traditional knowledge of plant textile dyes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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23 pages, 5065 KiB  
Article
Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils Extracted from Two New Ocimum basilicum L. Varieties
by Cătalina Stan (Tudora), Florin Nenciu, Adriana Muscalu, Valentin Nicolae Vlăduț, Floarea Burnichi, Carmen Popescu, Florentina Gatea, Oana Alina Boiu-Sicuia and Florentina Israel-Roming
Diversity 2022, 14(12), 1048; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14121048 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1985
Abstract
Recent agricultural research aims to identify novel applications for plant extracts as efficient defenses against weeds, insects, or phytopathogenic agents. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate two new varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum L., fam. Lamiaceae), Yellow [...] Read more.
Recent agricultural research aims to identify novel applications for plant extracts as efficient defenses against weeds, insects, or phytopathogenic agents. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate two new varieties of basil (Ocimum basilicum L., fam. Lamiaceae), Yellow basil, “Aromat de Buzau” variety and Red-violet basil, “Serafim” variety. The basil varieties were studied under different aspects regarding biochemical characterization using GC-MS, antioxidant activity evaluated under three methods (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP), and antimicrobial properties (for three G-bacteria: Perctobacterium carotovorum, Pseudomonas marginalis, Pseudomonas syringae and three phytopathogenic fungi: Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Botrytis cinerea). The results showed that linalool (39.28%; 55.51%), estragole (31.48%; 9.78%), and eugenol (5.42%; 7.63%) are the main compounds identified in the extracts, validating the high antioxidant activity of the studied essential oils and floral waters. When applied in high concentrations, essential oils have shown a potential bactericidal effect on P. carotovorum as well as a potential fungicidal effect on R. solani and B. cinerea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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20 pages, 2019 KiB  
Article
Application of Ethnobotanical Indices in the Utilization of Five Medicinal Herbaceous Plant Species in Benin, West Africa
by Hubert Olivier Dossou-Yovo, Fifanou Gbèlidji Vodouhè, Alevcan Kaplan and Brice Sinsin
Diversity 2022, 14(8), 612; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080612 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2403
Abstract
The ethnobotanical utilization of five neglected herbaceous species, Argemone mexicana L., Heliotropium indicum L., Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth and Schrankia leptocarpa DC. was investigated in Southern Benin to determine the ethnomedicinal and magic knowledge on them. Thirty-six herbal medicine [...] Read more.
The ethnobotanical utilization of five neglected herbaceous species, Argemone mexicana L., Heliotropium indicum L., Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth and Schrankia leptocarpa DC. was investigated in Southern Benin to determine the ethnomedicinal and magic knowledge on them. Thirty-six herbal medicine traders were surveyed in six different markets in three districts. Four ethnobotanical indices were used. All informants traded A. mexicana and the majority traded H. indicum, K. foetidissima, and P. pellucida. Purchases in the traders’ own markets was the single most important source of H. indicum, A. mexicana and P. pellucida. A. mexicana was the most demanded by customers. Traders reported the scarcity of A. mexicana and H. indicum and the availability of S. leptocarpa, K. foetidissima and P. pellucida. H. indicum was mainly used to treat hypertension and fever. Similarly, S. leptocarpa was mostly mentioned in the treatment of hypertension and to facilitate childbirth. K. foetidissima mainly served religious and animist purposes. Similarly, P. pellucida was reported as being mainly used to implant a vodun, a traditional religion in West Africa. A. mexicana served to treat babies just after the umbilical cord fall as well as jaundice. S. leptocarpa and P. pellucida exhibited the highest Use Value (UV), and there was a very low similarity between study species in terms of uses. The majority of traders did not plant the study species, although they serve to treat various social conditions. We suggest a better management of H. indicum and S. leptocarpa through collection for trading and medicinal utilization while the planting is required for A. mexicana and P. pellucida because of their scarcity. K. foetidissima should be preserved and used as medicine wherever it occurs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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14 pages, 1065 KiB  
Article
Effects of Growth Conditions on Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Activity in the Medicinal Plant Ageratina petiolaris (Asteraceae)
by Mónica L. Pérez-Ochoa, Araceli M. Vera-Guzmán, Demetria M. Mondragón-Chaparro, Sadoth Sandoval-Torres, José C. Carrillo-Rodríguez and José L. Chávez-Servia
Diversity 2022, 14(8), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080595 - 26 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1659
Abstract
Secondary metabolites, in addition to playing an essential role in the adaptation of plants to the environment and phytochemical responses in recovery processes to stress conditions, are the base material of the healing effect of medicinal plants. In this study, the effect of [...] Read more.
Secondary metabolites, in addition to playing an essential role in the adaptation of plants to the environment and phytochemical responses in recovery processes to stress conditions, are the base material of the healing effect of medicinal plants. In this study, the effect of growth conditions and localities of origin of Ageratina petiolaris on phenolic compounds content and antioxidant activity was evaluated; the plant is used for medicinal purposes in Oaxaca, Mexico. Samples of stem and young leaves were collected from plants growing naturally (in situ) in two locations in Oaxaca and from propagules collected in situ; plants were grown ex situ to obtain a set of equivalent samples to the first sampling (in situ). In both sets of samples, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity were evaluated by spectrometry, and later the phenolic acids and flavonoids were also identified and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD). The growth conditions of A. petiolaris significantly influenced its phenolic composition and antioxidant activity, where samples collected in situ had a higher phenolic compounds content than did plants grown ex situ. Five phenolic acids and five flavonoids were identified, eight of which had not been reported in A. petiolaris: caffeic acid, ρ-coumaric acid, robinin, rutin, luteolin-7-glucoside, apigenin-7-glucoside, rosmarinic acid and kaempferol, in terms of HPLC-DAD analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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23 pages, 1860 KiB  
Article
High Diversity of Medicinal Uses of Thai Legumes (Fabaceae) and Their Potential in Public Herbal Medicine
by Natcha Sutjaritjai, Prateep Panyadee, Methee Phumthum, Angkhana Inta and Henrik Balslev
Diversity 2022, 14(8), 588; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080588 - 23 Jul 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2889
Abstract
Ethnomedicinal studies have demonstrated that Fabaceae include the highest number of medicinal species of all plant families in Thailand. To evaluate which legumes hold the greatest potential for development of public herbal medicines, we used ethnobotanical indices to screen traditional medicinal species from [...] Read more.
Ethnomedicinal studies have demonstrated that Fabaceae include the highest number of medicinal species of all plant families in Thailand. To evaluate which legumes hold the greatest potential for development of public herbal medicines, we used ethnobotanical indices to screen traditional medicinal species from 152 literature sources published from 1986–2019. The homogeneity of each use category was evaluated using the informant consensus factor (ICF). The popularity of the used species was evaluated by percentage of fidelity level (FL) and use value (UV). A total of 261 species from 98 genera of legumes were recorded for their traditional medicinal uses. The uses included 5387 use reports that covered treatments of 420 disorders. The ethnobotanical indices pointed to 15 species with high use values (e.g., Biancaea sappan (L.) Tod., Cassia fistula L., Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby). Nine of these species are already used in public herbal medicine. The other six species should be studied in greater depth, especially to identify their bioactive compounds so they can be developed for use in public herbal medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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15 pages, 1753 KiB  
Article
Ethnobotanical Knowledge on Herbs and Spices in Bulgarian Traditional Dry-Cured Meat Products
by Teodora Ivanova, Mihail Chervenkov, Ekaterina Kozuharova and Dessislava Dimitrova
Diversity 2022, 14(6), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14060416 - 24 May 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2669
Abstract
Artisan food production, with its unique flavors, is a source of knowledge about sustainable use of natural resources. This is because it reflects the skills of local communities in utilizing these resources (e.g., wild and cultivated plants and autochthonous breeds) under specific environmental [...] Read more.
Artisan food production, with its unique flavors, is a source of knowledge about sustainable use of natural resources. This is because it reflects the skills of local communities in utilizing these resources (e.g., wild and cultivated plants and autochthonous breeds) under specific environmental conditions for a long period of time. Therefore, the use of local ingredients and the reduction in food miles make traditional food a safer, healthier and more ecofriendly choice for consumers. In the present research, we examined the herbal ingredients in Bulgarian dry-cured meats and discuss their contribution to the flavor and durability of the products. A combination of field data, collected through semi-structured interviews in local communities, and an analysis of the available literature was used to reveal the typicity of 24 artisanal/homemade meat products available mostly in their place of origin. We compared the obtained data to 16 industrial products branded as “traditional”, with 6 of them registered under the European Union quality schemes. The recorded ingredients of plant origin (dry and fresh) belonged to 16 taxa. Most diverse spice mixtures were used in products made of pork meat and in products originating from the southern, and hence warmer, regions of the country. The herbs and spices were combined freely except for Alliums, which were not mixed, and only one species was used per product. Most of the spices used in the artisanal dry meats were sourced from home gardens (some specifically cultivated for that purpose). Those collected from the wild, e.g., Origanum vulgare subp. hirtum (Link) Ietsw., were gathered sustainably in small quantities. The number of spices used in industrial dry meat products was limited to two–three, and was provided by cultivated sources, without exploiting natural populations. Manufacturing of all artisanal products was seasonal to avoid the cold winter weather, a measure which was necessary for the natural air-drying of the meat. The long-lasting effects of the abolishment of artisanal production under Communism, the adaptation of traditional products for industry, and the current challenges and perspectives surrounding artisanal production of meat products were discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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14 pages, 784 KiB  
Communication
Indigenous Knowledge on the Uses, Sustainability and Conservation of African Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) among Two Communities in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
by Boinelo P. Seile, Sechaba Bareetseng, Motheo T. Koitsiwe and Adeyemi O. Aremu
Diversity 2022, 14(3), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14030192 - 06 Mar 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 7292
Abstract
Harvesting of medicinal plants in the wild has an impact on sustainability of medicinal plants, which leads to the need for intervention in terms of conservation strategies. Siphonochilus aethiopicus, commonly known as African ginger or wild ginger is used to cure a [...] Read more.
Harvesting of medicinal plants in the wild has an impact on sustainability of medicinal plants, which leads to the need for intervention in terms of conservation strategies. Siphonochilus aethiopicus, commonly known as African ginger or wild ginger is used to cure a variety of health conditions/illnesses, such as coughs, colds, asthma, nausea, headaches and pains. This study explored the potential role of indigenous knowledge on the uses, sustainability, and conservation strategies for African ginger among two communities in Mpumalanga province. Qualitative method entailing in-depth interviews were used for this research. We used a non-probability sample (snow-balling) to recruit ten (10) participants that comprised of four traditional health practitioners, four knowledge holders and two herbalists, considered as experts on African ginger in the study area. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The diverse indigenous knowledge on the uses of African ginger were divided into two categories (diseases and spiritual/cultural purposes) among the local communities. African ginger is indigenous to South Africa and the plant species in the wild is mainly lost to commercial trade. As revealed by the participants, the multiple uses of African ginger are major contributing factors exacerbating the demands for the plant. The uses of African ginger have resulted in the scarcity and possibly extinction of this plant species in the wild, which remain a major concerns to several stakeholders especially traditional health practitioners. Harvesting of the rhizomes of African ginger is recommended instead of the root given the relative ease and higher chances for survival and regeneration. To ensure the sustainable utilisation of African ginger, its cultivation was recommended by the participants. However, there is a need for further intervention to assess how the community members can be assisted with developing and adopting indigenous conservation protocols for the continuous sustainability of African ginger. In addition, it is pertinent to strongly discourage the indiscriminate destruction of natural habitats and create more awareness on the importance of designating protected areas among local communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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Review

Jump to: Research

20 pages, 2524 KiB  
Review
Some European Gentiana Species Are Used Traditionally to Cure Wounds: Bioactivity and Conservation Issues
by Ardalan Pasdaran, Zheko Naychov, Daniela Batovska, Philip Kerr, Adrien Favre, Vladimir Dimitrov, Ina Aneva, Azadeh Hamedi and Ekaterina Kozuharova
Diversity 2023, 15(3), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15030467 - 22 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2723
Abstract
Wound care will always be among the main tasks in all surgical specialties. Several medicinal plants have proven efficacy to cure wounds. Ethnobotanical research and ethnopharmacological research have virtually endless potential to find new lead compounds. The aim of this research review is [...] Read more.
Wound care will always be among the main tasks in all surgical specialties. Several medicinal plants have proven efficacy to cure wounds. Ethnobotanical research and ethnopharmacological research have virtually endless potential to find new lead compounds. The aim of this research review is to assess the potential of some Gentiana species as sources of promising active compounds to support wound healing. Gentians are among the most popular medicinal plants used in many countries for a wide spectrum of health conditions. Traditionally, those used to cure wounds are Gentiana lutea, G. punctata, G. asclepiadea, G. cruciata, G. oliverii, G. septemphida, and G. gelida. Candidate compounds with skin regeneration and wound-healing potential isolated from gentians are isogentisin, isoorientin, mangiferin, lupeol, pinoresinol, syringaresinol, eustomoside, and sweroside. Based on the rich source of traditional knowledge on the properties of gentians to cure various skin and soft tissue complications; only very few modern pharmacological studies have been performed to test this potential. Our review demonstrates that this field deserves further investigation. Many gentians are declining in number and have high IUCN conservation status, and cultivation and micropropagation methods are the only solution for the development of new drugs based on gentian extracts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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16 pages, 1182 KiB  
Review
Assessment of the Potential of the Invasive Arboreal Plant Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae) as an Economically Prospective Source of Natural Pesticides
by Ekaterina Kozuharova, Ardalan Pasdaran, Abdel Rahman Al Tawaha, Teodora Todorova, Zheko Naychov and Iliana Ionkova
Diversity 2022, 14(8), 680; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14080680 - 19 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2396
Abstract
The extensive use of pesticides may negatively affect human health. Additionally, it is one of the main reasons for the decline of pollinators and is thus a hazard for most crops and biodiversity as a whole. Good candidates for the replacement of pesticides [...] Read more.
The extensive use of pesticides may negatively affect human health. Additionally, it is one of the main reasons for the decline of pollinators and is thus a hazard for most crops and biodiversity as a whole. Good candidates for the replacement of pesticides with ones less toxic to humans and pollinators are natural products (bioactive compounds extracted from plants), even though it should be kept in mind that some of them can be toxic too. Ailanthus altissima (Mill.), swingle, known also as tree of heaven, (Simaroubaceae) is one of the most aggressive alien invasive plants. It demonstrates a high tolerance to various habitat conditions and a potent propagation ability. This plant has a prominent ability to suppress the seed development of local vegetation. The aim of this review study is to summarize the potential of this plant for use as a natural pesticide, starting with ethnobotanical information. The essential oils extracted from A. altissima with its main components α-curcumene α-gurjunene, γ-cadinene, α-humulene, β-caryophyllene, caryophyllene oxide, germacrene D, etc., have been reported to possess different activities such as insect repellent, insecticidal, and herbicidal activity. Additionally, polar extracts and particularly quassinoids, the phenolic constituents of A. altissima leaves, are potent phytotoxins and fumigants. The basic extraction protocols are also summarized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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34 pages, 509 KiB  
Review
Traditional Medicinal Plants—A Possible Source of Antibacterial Activity on Respiratory Diseases Induced by Chlamydia pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Moraxella catarrhalis
by Ligia Elena Duțu, Maria Lidia Popescu, Carmen Nicoleta Purdel, Elena Iuliana Ilie, Emanuela-Alice Luță, Liliana Costea and Cerasela Elena Gîrd
Diversity 2022, 14(2), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14020145 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4952
Abstract
Background. Nowadays, phytotherapy offers viable solutions in managing respiratory infections, disorders known for considerable incidence in both children and adults. In a context in which more and more people are turning to phytotherapy, finding new remedies is a topical goal of researchers in [...] Read more.
Background. Nowadays, phytotherapy offers viable solutions in managing respiratory infections, disorders known for considerable incidence in both children and adults. In a context in which more and more people are turning to phytotherapy, finding new remedies is a topical goal of researchers in health and related fields. This paper aims to identify those traditional medicinal plants that show potentially antibacterial effects against four Gram-negative germs (Chlamydia pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Moraxella catarrhalis), which are considered to have high involvement in respiratory infections. Furthermore, a comparison with Romanian folk medicines was performed. Methods. An extensive review of books and databases was undertaken to identify vegetal species of interest in the context of the topic. Results. Some traditional Romanian species (such as Mentha × piperita, Thymus vulgaris, Pinus sylvestris, Allium sativum, Allium cepa, Ocimum basilicum, and Lavandulaangustifolia) were identified and compared with the plants and preparations confirmed as having antibacterial effects against specific germs. Conclusions. The antibacterial effects of some traditionally used Romanian medicinal plants are poorly investigated, and deserve further attention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants and Biodiversity Conservation)
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