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Herbal medicines in cancer care in the Palestinian Authority
... In an ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal herbs in Golan Heights and the West Bank region performed by Said et al., 2002, only seven plant species were found to treat cancer among 81 species used for treating 115 different ailments and diseases [40]. In another study conducted in the West Bank, Ali-Shtayeh and Rana, 2011, found only 25 plant species used for treatment in cancer without mentioning which type of cancer they can treat [41]. ...
Background
Plants have been the primary source of medicines since life on earth; more than 50 % of existing cancer treatments are derived from plants.
Methods
An ethnopharmacological survey of herbal remedies used in cancer treatment was carried out in the West Bank/ Palestine. A questionnaire was distributed to one hundred and fifty herbalists, traditional healers and rural dwellers. Collected information included the names of plants, the used parts, types of cancers for which these plants were used and also their methods of preparation. To identify the most important species used, Factor of informant’s consensus (Fic), Fidelity level (Fl) and the Use-value (UV) were calculated.
Results
Collected data has shown that 72 plants are utilized for treatment of cancer, belonging to 44 families; from them Compositae and Lamiaceae were the most common. Leaves and fruits were the most commonly used parts, while decoctions, infusions and syrups were the main methods of preparation. Lung cancer was the most common type of cancer treated with these plants and Ephedra alata was the most commonly used plant for treatment of cancer in Palestine. The Fic was high for all the plants; Fl was 100 % for many plants, the highest UV (0.72) was for Ephedra alata.
Conclusions
This study showed that many herbal remedies are still used by herbalists in Palestine for treatment of cancer; some of them have been approved scientifically while others are not. A combined effort between informants and scientific institutions working in this field can help in the discovery of new anticancer agents. Moreover, scientists must explore the most suitable method of extraction, formulation and dose determination in order to achieve the best benefits from these herbals.
Phytotherapy has been playing a significant role in the livestock health care system for a long especially in
remote areas. This study was aimed to document the therapeutic uses of plant species practiced by the indig-
enous people of the Rif for the treatment of various veterinary health diseases. Semi-structured question-
naires, field walks, and group discussions were conducted during June 2016 - October 2019 to collect the
data. Quantitative indices including Plant Part Value (PPV), Use value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), Relative Popu-
larity Level (RPL), Rank Order Priority (ROP), Jaccard Index (JI), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were
used for the data analysis. A total of 300 medicinal plants belonging to 205 genera and 67 families have been
recorded with ethnoveterinary uses. Dominant families are Asteraceae (33 species), Lamiaceae (28 species),
and Fabaceae (24 species). The reported illness was classified into 6 disease categories based on ICF values
and the highest number of plants was reported to treat dermatological diseases (ICF=0.971). Leaves were the
most consistently used parts (PPV=48.4%). Aloysia citrodora Palau. (RPL=) had the highest RPL level (1.15). It
can be concluded that the local people of Rif hold rich ethnoveterinary knowledge to cure livestock diseases.
Plant species with high FL, RPL, and UV values should be screened for comprehensive phytochemical and
pharmacological studies to validate the ethnomedicinal knowledge.
Diabetes is a global health problem, and the number of diabetic patients is in continuous rise. Conventional antidiabetic therapies are associated with high costs and limited efficiency. The use of traditional medicine and plant extracts to treat diabetes is gaining high popularity in many countries. Countries in the Middle East region have a long history of using herbal medicine to treat different diseases, including diabetes. In this review, we compiled and summarized all the in vivo and in vitro studies conducted for plants with potential antidiabetic activity in the Middle East region. Plants of the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are the most investigated. It is hoped that this review will contribute scientifically to evidence the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants as antidiabetic agents. Work has to be done to define tagetes, mechanism of action and the compound responsible for activity. In addition, safety and pharmacokinetic parameters should be investigated.
The amount of data regarding the use of herbs/herbal products in cancer clinical trials at times creates a great challenge for oncologists to prescribe or counsel patients. It urges critical evaluation of the quality of clinical trials. Herein, for the first time, the clinical trials for herbs used in cancer were critically evaluated on the basis of three widely used scales, i.e., Jadad, Delphi, and Cochrane scales. The literature was collected with the help of online databases, journals, libraries, and books using a number of specific keywords as mentioned in detail in forthcoming sections. A total of 73 clinical trials were extracted, evaluated, and scored for 14 herbs, according to the predefined criteria mentioned below. A major deficiency of “non-blinding of clinical trials” was observed. The principal component analysis revealed four components (PC1–PC4) with a total variability of 68.21%, wherein the highest percentage variability was observed for PC1 loaded with “non-blinding of the clinical trials, no concealment of the treatment allocation, non-blindness of the patient and care provider”, which accounted for 30.81% of the total variability. The next major variability of 14.70% was observed for PC2 loaded with “non-randomization of the studies, non-blinding of the outcome assessors, no proper drop-out procedures, and lack of information regarding baseline characteristics for the groups”. Pearson’s correlation further confirmed a similar correlation pattern for the mentioned deficiencies (p = 0.05). An in-house grading scale was developed, showing a very small portion (16.44%), i.e., 12/73 studies with a good quality, whereas the majority (57.54%) of the studies, i.e., 42/73, were found to be of poor quality. The rules and regulations governing the quality of clinical trials needs to be more stringent and updated for the natural products/herbs used in cancer clinical trials.
The stability of virgin olive oil (VOO) used as a packing medium for traditional concentrated Yoghurt decreased during time and the product could deteriorate during the storage time. In this investigation, different natural additives such as dried Arum Palaestinum leaves (AP), Tomato Peel (TP) and Chili Pepper (CP) have been used to enhance the quality and stability of packing medium VOO for traditional canned concentrated Yoghurt balls. Parts VOO samples added with natural additives were stored as packing medium for traditional canned concentrated Yoghurt balls. Other part was stored without concentrated Yoghurt in the same storage conditions. All samples were analyzed for their initial quality indexes and during the storage period of six months. At the end of storage, results revealed that the % acidity for all VOO samples used as a packing medium showed a higher value than the samples stored without concentrated Yoghurt balls. On the other side, peroxide values for all stored samples of both parts were less than the control sample without additives. Extinction coefficients (K232, K270) for VOO samples with the natural additives showed increased trend during the storage time, but it didn't exceed the accepted limit for VOO. Total phenol content for all samples were gradually decreased during storage period, whereas samples with the natural additives showed higher values than the controls. All the natural additives (CP, TP, AP) showed a positive trend in enhancing and improving the different VOO quality indexes in our study in particular those samples added with CP during the storage time.
ABSTRACT
Arum palaestinum Boiss. leaves considered one of the most edible wild plant in Palestine also one of the medicinal plant utilized for treatment various diseases specially cancer. The present study sought to evaluate the exhaustive extract yields percentages for Solomon's Lily (Arum palaestinum Boiss.) leaves from all of the regions in the West Bank/Palestine (Nablus, Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm, Salpheet, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Jericho, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Hebron) to investigate the best region in Palestine that have the strongest anticancer activity which can be helpful in manufacturing foods supplements, cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals formulations. By using exhaustive extraction method, the yield of organic and water extraction experimental method was assessed, with steeping the plant in ethanol, water and hexane to extract all the chemical ingredients without destroying or changing their chemical constituents. It is found that the best aqueous and organic yields were in Salfeet region (4.8%, 3.24 %, respectively) while the lowest aqueous yield and organic yield was in Jericho (2.64%, 0.76%, respectively). In recommendation for pharmaceutical companies, Salfeet region was the best area for cultivation Arum palaestinum Boiss. plant for manufacturing evidence based standardized pharmacological active pharmaceutical forms also for further scientific researches.
Palestine Bioexploration Center: Use of the Screen-To-Nature (STN) technology for exploring biological activities Palestinian flora.
M. S. Ali-Shtayeh, Rana M. Jamous
Biodiversity and Environmental Research Center (BERC), Til, Nablus, Palestine.
BERC- Bio-Xploration Center (BERC-BEC) was established in 2013 through the Bio-Xplore project: “Novel methodology for the Identification of Valuable Natural Products Derived from Mediterranean Flora” funded by European Union under the ENPI CBC MED programme (Bio-Xplore I B/1.1/288).
BERC-BEC provides scientific support for converting some folklore medicine into pharmaceuticals or other useful products developed according to international standards. It increases job opportunities and strengthen economic clusters. Based upon the new findings of BERC-BEC, local scientists will be able to increase research and identify valuable active compounds. Discovering of new compounds will result in increasing agricultural area for targeted plants. Successful growing of crops will lead to building of new local factories to extract the active materials, which can be used for producing new cosmetic component, dry spice and tradition flavors additives. BERC-BEC also helps protect the environment, especially threatened plant species. Its educational programs will increase the public’s awareness of the value of the native flora and the importance of its conservation. BERC-BEC has introduced the Screen-to-Nature (STN) technology into different Palestine, through the GIBEX program. The technology was introduced to the community as well as to scientists. All the workshops and research started with caution and suspicion and ended with much excitement and motivation to work together. Scientist as well as local people and traditional doctors were amazed to realize the benefits of the collaboration from both sides. From then on much excitement was involved in the project and it turned out to be very successful. Results were presented and discussed. The STN technology which is implemented at BERC-BEC is a novel technique, as it enables the screen of tens of thousands of specimens in a relatively short time thereby increasing the chances of discovering new valuable compounds. The STN technology is innovative in the sense that it allows local people to be involved in Research &Development (R&D) tasks and work. This is something which is not usually available and which might help promoting R&D activities among students in Palestine. Since the screening of the plants is done in the field the screens must be light and easy to carry. The screens are simple to understand and simple to operate in different environment and produce fast but accurate and reliable results. Through the Bio-Xplore project were used 10 STN kits. These include among others antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, protease and protease inhibitors, round worm lethality, planaria regeneration and lethality. During the project period BERC team was able to screen more than 1500 plant extracts belonging to 602 plant species, these plants are distributed among 368 genera and 109 Family. The results of these screens are discussed in this presentation.
This book is aimed at providing the readers with ethnobotanic and ethnopharmacological information on plants currently used for treating various ailments in Traditional Arabic Palestinian Herbal Medicine (TAPHM) in the West Bank and Gaza.
The information is mainly based on twenty year-long ethnobotanic and ethnopharmacological studies in the West Bank and Gaza. The information was collected from a large number of informants, on the basis of their knowledge of traditional medicine, including: households, practitioners or healers, "attarine", and persons with acknowledged knowledge of traditional medicine at their communities.
The book is a reference of clinical information on over 192 herbs used in the Traditional Arabic Palestinian Herbal Medicine (TAPHM).
The book is intended for educational purposes, as well as a convenient reference for both health professionals and their clients. It makes no claims for the appropriateness of any herb in individual situations. Correct choice of herbs may require evaluation by a health professional.
With this precaution in mind, the information should be useful to a broad range of users. The book includes information about botanical classification, dosage, preparation, physiological notes, and traditional Palestinian clinical indications.
The clinical rules and procedures of TAPHM are explained in clear and concise language.
The book comprises a preface, two chapters: Introduction on Traditional Arabic Palestinian Herbal Medicine; and Plants Used in Traditional Arabic Palestinian Medicine; References; two Appendixes; and 5 Indexes ( Plants Arabic Common Name, English Name, Scientinfic Name, Plant Family Name, and Ailments treated by the plants mentioned in the book) .
Appendix A: Photos of plants mentioned in the book.
Appendix B: "The 2008 Palestinian National Inventory of Medicinal Plants: West Bank and Gaza". This includes 355 medicinal plants.
A limited database on TAPHM extracted from this book, is now available free online. The database comprises 192 herb entries plus indexes by Arabic common name, English name, scientific name, family, and diseases they treat, for cross-referencing and easy look-up of terminology, and indexing of terms.
An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the West Bank to evaluate the relative efficacy of the plants used to treat skin diseases and prostate cancer. A total number of 102 informants, 30 years and older and either native born or had been living in the West Bank for more than 30 years, were interviewed using a previously prepared questionnaire. Of about 165 plant species mentioned by the informants, 63 (38.1%) were mentioned by three or more informants. On the basis of their primary uses, 21 of these plants were reported to relieve skin disorders, 17 for urinary system disorders, 16 for gastric disorders, nine for cancer and prostate disorders, eight for arthritis, five for respiratory problems, and five for other ailments. Indices on fidelity levels (FLs), relative popularity level (RPL), and rank-order priority (ROP) were calculated. Plants were classified in two groups: 'popular' (RPL=1) or 'unpopular' (RPL<1). The following plant species were classified as popular in this study: Teucrium polium, Matricaria aurea, Urtica pilulifera, Paronychia argentea, Petroselinum sativum, and Salvia fruticosa. The remaining 57 species were classified as 'unpopular'. Fifty-nine plants were claimed to be effective against cancer and prostate disorders, which include Arum dioscorides, U. pilulifera, Allium sativum, Viscum cruciatum, and Allium cepa.
A comparative food ethnobotanical study was carried out in fifteen local communities distributed in five districts in the Palestinian Authority, PA (northern West Bank), six of which were located in Nablus, two in Jenin, two in Salfit, three in Qalqilia, and two in Tulkarm. These are among the areas in the PA whose rural inhabitants primarily subsisted on agriculture and therefore still preserve the traditional knowledge on wild edible plants.
Data on the use of wild edible plants were collected for one-year period, through informed consent semi-structured interviews with 190 local informants. A semi-quantitative approach was used to document use diversity, and relative importance of each species.
The study recorded 100 wild edible plant species, seventy six of which were mentioned by three informants and above and were distributed across 70 genera and 26 families. The most significant species include Majorana syriaca, Foeniculum vulgare, Malvasylvestris, Salvia fruticosa, Cyclamen persicum, Micromeria fruticosa, Arum palaestinum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Gundelia tournefortii, and Matricaria aurea. All the ten species with the highest mean cultural importance values (mCI), were cited in all five areas. Moreover, most were important in every region. A common cultural background may explain these similarities. One taxon (Majoranasyriaca) in particular was found to be among the most quoted species in almost all areas surveyed. CI values, as a measure of traditional botanical knowledge, for edible species in relatively remote and isolated areas (Qalqilia, and Salfit) were generally higher than for the same species in other areas. This can be attributed to the fact that local knowledge of wild edible plants and plant gathering are more spread in remote or isolated areas.
Gathering, processing and consuming wild edible plants are still practiced in all the studied Palestinian areas. About 26 % (26/100) of the recorded wild botanicals including the most quoted and with highest mCI values, are currently gathered and utilized in all the areas, demonstrating that there are ethnobotanical contact points among the various Palestinian regions. The habit of using wild edible plants is still alive in the PA, but is disappearing. Therefore, the recording, preserving, and infusing of this knowledge to future generations is pressing and fundamental.
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