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An overview of some important deliberations to promote medicinal plants cultivation
Abstract
Medicinal plants have regained popularity in recent years as a result of growing trust in traditional medicine, and the worldwide supply of medicinal plants sourced from the wild is resulting in a dwindling natural resource base. It is necessary to pursue a broad trend toward medicinal plant production, as well as vertical integration of commodities by downstream enterprises ensuring them consistent supply of high-quality herbs. The first step towards achieving a successful farming model is suggesting the right crops in the right location. Our major objectives therefore, were to encompass agro-ecological studies permitting identification of potential growing regions of medicinal plants taking into account their climatological characters for successful cultivation using Geographical Information System (GIS). For safe and sustainable medicinal plant production for both growers and consumers, the article included studies pertaining to the historical advents of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in different countries and agro-practices of medicinal plants. Subsequently, this has urged us to document critical alignment approach to comprehend quality of medicinal produce by identifying critical materials and process parameters including phyto-remediation techniques. The Indian state of Punjab was studied to better understand the challenges and opportunities in the medicinal plants sector, as well as to make recommendations based on current knowledge for the establishment and smooth operation of the sector. Before beginning commercial cultivation of medicinal plants, the review indicates that understanding of agro-ecological zoning, GAP, quality target, and agro-economics are required. It also emphasises the importance of more comprehensive legal and policy control in the herbal industry. This article will serve as a guide for farmers and policymakers working in the medicinal plant industry.
... In addition, as the upsurging raw materials demand, the cultivation area, the yielding of aromatic plants, and the industrial extraction also expand all over the world [1][2][3]. Yet, most commercially targeted secondary metabolites only use a low proportion of plant biomass, and over 90% of the biomass are left as industrial aromatic plant residues (IAPRs) after industrial extraction [4,5]. For example, Cinnamomum camphora, a common aromatic plant that is widely distributed, had as high as 6.67 × 10 4 hectares of cultivation area just in China since 2019 [6]. ...
... Such a prominent organic waste input by IAPRs would cause several environmental problems, such as eutrophication and odorization [7]. Moreover, different to common organic waste (like straws or manures) from agriculture and husbandry, IAPRs are possibly mixed with ecotoxic organic solvents, such as ether and acetone [4][5][6], which diffuse the soil and atmosphere and cause potential alterations to ecosystem functions [8]. The secondary metabolite remaining in the residues have antibiotics functions, which may lead to other unexpected negative ecological effects, such as the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes [4][5][6]. ...
... Moreover, different to common organic waste (like straws or manures) from agriculture and husbandry, IAPRs are possibly mixed with ecotoxic organic solvents, such as ether and acetone [4][5][6], which diffuse the soil and atmosphere and cause potential alterations to ecosystem functions [8]. The secondary metabolite remaining in the residues have antibiotics functions, which may lead to other unexpected negative ecological effects, such as the enrichment of antibiotic resistance genes [4][5][6]. We urgently need a sustainable measure to consume the increasingly emergent IARPs. ...
The increasing production of industrial aromatic plant residues (IAPRs) are potentially environmental risky, and composting is a promising solution to resolve the coming IAPR problems. Carbon source degradation is a basic but important field in compost research; however, we still lack a clear understanding of carbon source degradation and the corresponding relationship to microbial community variation during IAPR composting, which hampers the improvement of IAPR composting efficiency and the promotion of this technology. In this study, samples were chosen on the first day, the 10th day, the 20th day, and the last day during the composting of Cinnamomum camphora leaf IAPRs, and the microbial community composition, main carbon source composition, and several enzyme activities were measured accordingly. The results showed that during composting, the hemicellulose had the highest reduction (200 g kg⁻¹), followed by cellulose (143 g kg⁻¹), lignin (15.5 g kg⁻¹), starch (5.48 g kg⁻¹), and soluble sugar (0.56 g kg⁻¹), which supported that hemicellulose and cellulose were the main carbon source to microbes during composting. The relative abundance of the main bacterial phylum Firmicute decreased from 85.1% to 40.3% while Actinobactreia increased from 14.4% to 36.7%, and the relative abundance of main fungal class Eurotiomycetes decreased from 60.9% to 19.6% while Sordariomycetes increased from 16.9% to 69.7%. Though principal coordinates analysis found that both bacterial and fungal community composition significantly varied during composting (p < 0.05), structure equation modeling (SEM) supported that bacterial composition rather than fungal counterpart was more responsible for the change in carbon source composition, as the standard total effects offered by bacterial composition (−0.768) was about five times the fungal composition (−0.144). Enzyme2 (comprised of xylanase, laccase, cellulase and manganese peroxidase) provided −0.801 standard total effects to carbon source composition, while Enzyme1 (comprised of lignin peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase) had only 0.172. Furthermore, xylanase and laccase were the only two enzymes appeared in co-occurrence network, clustered with nearly all the carbon sources concerned (except starch) in module-II. Xylanase, hemicellulose, and cellulose were linked to higher numbers of OTUs, more than laccase and other carbon sources. In addition, there were 11 BOTUs but only 1 FOTUs directly interacted to xylanase, hemicellulose, and cellulose simultaneously, three of them were Limnochordaceae and two were Savagea, which highlighted the potential core function in lignocellulose degradation provided by bacterial members, especially Limnochordaceae and Savagea. Thus, the results supported that during composting of Cinnamomum camphora leaf IAPRs, the degradation of dominate carbon sources, hemicellulose and cellulose, was mainly driven by bacterial community rather than fungal community. In addition, the bacterial originated xylanase and laccase played potentially core roles in the functional modules. This research clearly investigated the microbial dynamics of carbon source degradation during the composting of Cinnamomum camphora leaf IAPRs, and offers valuable information about and new insight into future IAPRs waste treatment.
... The recent advancements in natural remedies have urged people to use herbal drugs across the globe. However, the availability of standardized herbal medicines, challenges associated with adulteration, therapeutic evidences, and safety apprehensions remain major concerns for acceptability [57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. In order to ensure the quality of herbal medicines for their applications in pharmaceutical, herbal, cosmetic, food, and nutraceutical industries, reliable identification and authentication techniques are the need of the hour [63][64][65][66][67]. Conventionally used Accuracy % Different Model methodologies require a specific skill set confined to experts only, and sophisticated analytical techniques hinder their applications on a larger scale among farmers, buyers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders [68][69][70][71][72][73][74]. ...
... However, the availability of standardized herbal medicines, challenges associated with adulteration, therapeutic evidences, and safety apprehensions remain major concerns for acceptability [57][58][59][60][61][62][63]. In order to ensure the quality of herbal medicines for their applications in pharmaceutical, herbal, cosmetic, food, and nutraceutical industries, reliable identification and authentication techniques are the need of the hour [63][64][65][66][67]. Conventionally used Accuracy % Different Model methodologies require a specific skill set confined to experts only, and sophisticated analytical techniques hinder their applications on a larger scale among farmers, buyers, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders [68][69][70][71][72][73][74]. ...
Background:
This research paper showcases the creation and assessment of a machine learning model utilizing the Efficient Net B4 architecture for the identification of cumin herbs and any potential adulterants. The research presents a comprehensive overview of the model's structure, emphasizing the different layers, their output dimensions, and the number of parameters.
Methods:
The trained model consists of a grand total of 17,684,581 parameters, out of which 10,758 have been found eligible for training. The model has been found to exhibit exceptional performance on the training dataset, with an accuracy of 98.73%, a recall score of 0.95, and an F1 score of 0.93. This demonstrates its usefulness in accurately identifying cumin herbs. A confusion matrix has also been developed, which has showcased the model's remarkable proficiency in accurately detecting cumin herbs. Although there have been few occurrences of misclassification, the model has consistently shown exceptional accuracy by accurately identifying the majority of cases in both the "cumin" and "not cumin" categories.
Results:
Upon comparing our model's performance to prior research, it has been found notable for its high accuracy and the potential to be applied more broadly in the field of herbal identification. This work offers an innovative way for recognizing cumin plants using machine learning, despite the little research existing in this area. It also establishes a basis for future research on identifying other important herbal items.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the machine learning model based on EfficientNet B4 has been found to exhibit exceptional accuracy and show potential for practical use in identifying cumin herbs. This study can significantly contribute to improving the authentication and quality assurance processes in the herbal product business, paving the way for future advancements in this field.
... Additionally, there is an emphasis on identifying the structure of previously unknown alkaloids and studying their pharmacological activity to develop effective medicinal drugs. This research also relies on the latest technological advancements and includes resource studies, as well as addressing any challenges related to the cultivation of medicinal plants [1][2][3][4]. Alkaloids are abundant in the kingdom of plants and have a high level of biological activity. It was previously believed that the alkaloid bases found in a plant's chemical composition were characteristic and specific to a particular family. ...
Our study's objective was to use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify the amount of berberine in the total amount of alkaloids extracted from M. aquifolium. Eclipse plus C-18 was used to separate the crude extract (250 x 4.6 x 5 µm). Methanol (0.1% formic acid): water (0.1 formic acid) 35:65 v v-1 made up the mobile phase. At 346 nm, ultraviolet detection was carried out. With a r2 > 0.9998, a solid linear response was seen in the concentration range under study. The alkaloid extract from the aerial parts of M. aquifolium should contain at least 2% berberine, according to the results. With intra- and inter-day variances of less than 1.03%, the approach is accurate. Within the range under study, linearity, sensitivity, and precision are all adequate.
... The mammalian exogenetic chemical defense systems, consisting of the combined detoxication, anticoagulative, bio-chemical rule-breaking, more-than-100-ionity systems, account for the bulk of human brain evolution, enzyme activity, neurophysiology, detoxication efficiency, and/or poisoning incidence. Therefore, medicinal plants with credibly effective ethnopharmacological justifications need to be exploited and databased instead of futilities [9,10]. ...
Patient nonadherence to prescribed treatments, particularly in the management of chronic diseases, poses a significant challenge to global health systems. The integration of medicinal plants into therapeutic regimens has emerged as a complementary strategy that may improve adherence by aligning with patients' cultural practices, perceptions of natural efficacy, and concerns over pharmaceutical side effects. This paper examines how the use of medicinal plants influences patient adherence through cultural relevance, perceived safety, availability, and user engagement. The study synthesizes evidence from historical and contemporary sources, including case studies, pharmacological mechanisms, and sociocultural factors affecting the utilization of medicinal plants. It further highlights how medicinal plants may support psychological and behavioral aspects of adherence by fostering a sense of agency and trust in treatment. Key barriers such as safety concerns, provider-patient communication gaps, and biopiracy are discussed alongside the potential of patient education and community-based interventions. The findings advocate for a more holistic, culturally sensitive approach in chronic disease care by recognizing the role of medicinal plants in promoting sustainable adherence strategies.
... The current approach to cultivating medicinal plants has been focused on marginal lands not suited for growing crops, but the availability of valuable and versatile medicinal plants is often limited in these areas (Singh et al. 2022). Furthermore, plant genotype variations and eco-edaphic conditions and their interaction are essential factors influencing the abundance and profile of secondary metabolites in herbs and medicinal plants (Generalić Mekinić et al. 2019;Yaldiz et al. 2019;Pant et al. 2021). ...
Purpose
This study provides insights that blessed thistle (C nicus benedictus L.) ecotypes grown in different eco-edaphic conditions can be targeted as a potential source of health-relevant phytochemicals linked to their antioxidant and enzymatic inhibitory activities.
Methods
Agronomic productivity, phytochemical contents as well as cnicin concentration and phenolic profile linked to the functional biological properties (α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities) were assessed with three ecotypes (Tehran, Shiraz, Sari) grown in four various eco-edaphic sites (S1-S4) during two growing seasons.
Results
The greatest biomass yield (12,005 kg DW ha − 1 ) was noted for plants grown in the arid-sandy soil condition (S1), while the lowest yield (10,357 kg DW ha − 1 ) was recorded for plants grown in the humid climate-clay soil condition (S4). The Tehran ecotype demonstrated richer phytochemicals in arid and semi-arid sites compared to others. The HPLC analysis showed that while chlorogenic acid, as the dominant phenolic compound, was higher in ecotypes grown in S1; quercetin and rutin, the minor compounds responsible for plant enzymatic inhibitory, were more abundant in the semi-arid (S2) plants.
Conclusions
Cnicin and individual phenolic acids like chlorogenic acid and flavonoids, mainly quercetin and rutin, had a potential synergetic effect on the plant’s amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition potential. The Tehran ecotype could be considered the most important therapeutically relevant ecotype for future plant variety developments. The high agronomic productivity of blessed thistle in marginal lands and its biological activity linked to certain phytochemicals make the plant a potential target for further developments and glycemic control therapeutic applications.
... 35 Lack of improved varieties, low crop awareness, soil fertility challenges, insect and disease issues, lack of postharvest facilities, and lack of government commitment are some of the main factors limiting amaranth yield. 36 For instance, cultural practices including sparse fertilizer application and the removal of vegetative cover contribute to Ethiopia's high rate of soil nutrient loss. 15 There is no prospective Amaranth crop variation used for different purposes because the Amaranth cruentus variety predominates in Ethiopia. ...
Amaranths have an immense nutrition potential to alleviate malnutrition problems. However, since amaranth cultivation and production in Ethiopia is highly scarce, its impact to lessen the malnutrition problem has not been explored to its maximum potential. This review assesses the potential role of amaranth crops for nutrition security in Ethiopia. Worldwide yield of amaranth is about 35–40 tons/ha while in Ethiopia it is still 2.25 tons/ha which is 17 times lower than the world average. Amaranth is described by its nutritious and gluten-free grain that contains a significant amount of protein, which ranges between 14% and 17%, fat (5–9%) and starch (62%). However, the highest biological value of amaranth protein was reported to be 75–79%. It can also be used in savory dishes as well as sweet breakfast, porridge, salads, and baked breads in different countries. However, amaranth is not extensively cultivated in Africa and merely South Africa is conducting large researches and grand projects in a wider scope. It is a neglected crop especially in Ethiopia. Amaranth production is still at the beginning or low stage. The government also losses its focus of attention on amaranth to solve nutrition insecurity in Ethiopia. Thus, to produce amaranth crop in a broader range and use it as a key solution for malnutrition problems in Ethiopia, comprehensive varietal adaptation, continuous training, and strong market linkage should be given attention by the concerned bodies such as research institutes, industries, non-governmental organizations and ministerial bureaus.
... Biodiversity and Conservation of Medicinal Plants As emphasizes, the three-headed interplay between biodiversity, medicinal plants, and conservation requires analytical attention. Indeed, the ecological principles governing plant diversity are very important to the continued viability of medicinal plants not selected and culled from an environment [14,15]. Local indigenous communities, bolstered by their own observation, experimentation, and practical experience, themselves understand that diversity at the habitat level is critical for a rich pharmacopeia. ...
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is an invaluable repository of environmental understanding, deeply embedded in cultural heritage and oral traditions. This paper examines the sustainable use of medicinal plants through TEK, emphasizing its historical resilience, cultural significance, and conservation potential. Indigenous communities worldwide have long utilized medicinal plants for healthcare, passing down knowledge that ensures both efficacy and ecological sustainability. However, modernization, globalization, and habitat loss threaten this knowledge system. By examining biodiversity conservation, sustainable harvesting methods, and successful case studies, this study underscores the urgent need to integrate TEK with modern ecological and biomedical practices. Such integration can enhance global healthcare systems and biodiversity conservation, fostering a more sustainable and inclusive approach to health and environmental stewardship.
... Marketing and market orientation at the macro level in the pharmaceutical plants industry encompass processes carried out for the purpose of selling and developing the target market of pharmaceutical plant products in the international and domestic markets (Singh et al., 2022). These processes include market analysis, branding, advertising, market development, and marketing strategy determination (Karim et al., 2020). ...
Introduction
Iran, with a wide variety of climates, is among the top 20 countries in the world in terms of medicinal plant production, yet it does not have a significant position among the top exporting countries of medicinal plants and related products. Therefore, this exploratory descriptive research was conducted with the aim of analyzing the strategic development for sustainable export of medicinal plants from Iran to the global value chain using the SWOT technique.
Methods
The study population consisted of three groups: experts in medicinal plants, managers and relevant experts in agricultural administrations, natural resources and watershed management, Agriculture and natural resources research and education center, as well as producers, traders, and managers in the field of medicinal plants, with 31 individuals selected purposefully as a sample using snowball sampling method.
Results and discussion
Based on the findings, 10 strengths, 25 weaknesses, 11 opportunities, and 16 threats were identified. The results indicated that the average weaknesses outweighed the strengths, and threats outweighed the opportunities. Therefore, the strategic quadrant of the SWOT matrix was placed on the WT (defensive strategies). Accordingly, some proposed strategies such as “Encouraging regional investment in the field of medicinal plant processing industries” and “Reforming and facilitating administrative bureaucracy to obtain necessary licenses for final product production” were suggested to play a more significant role in the development of medicinal plant production and processing. The findings of this study can be utilized by decision-makers and relevant policymakers in planning and for sustainable development of Iranian medicinal plant exports in the global value chain.
... By incorporating environmental variables, such as soil types, elevation, and climate, GIS enables the creation of predictive models for plant distribution and abundance. Such integrative approaches enhance our understanding of the ecological requirements of medicinal plants, aiding in sustainable harvesting practices and the identification of potential cultivation sites by taking into account their climatological characters for successful cultivation (Singh et al. 2022). Al-Bakri et al. (2011) integrated GIS and ground surveys to medicinal plants in a semi-arid and arid region in the north-west of Jordan. ...
The increase in global health concerns has spurred a growing interest in preventive medicine. This involves utilizing herbal remedies known for their proven benefits and minimal side effects. These natural remedies are widely utilized particularly amid rising geriatric and lifestyle diseases. However, this increased demand has led to overexploitation and unregulated harvesting of medicinal plants. Shockingly, over 80% of medicinal plants are collected from the wild in a destructive manner, jeopardizing the sustainability of numerous species that have now become rare, endangered, or threatened. This unsustainable practice significantly impacts their natural populations and survival rates. To counter this, there is a growing necessity for sustainable cultivation due to the depletion of wild resources. Sustainable cultivation integrates traditional wisdom, scientific advancements, and community involvement while adhering to ethical and regulatory standards. Establishing successful farming models requires identifying optimal crops through GIS-based agro-ecological studies. This involves assessing climatic suitability and historical Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). Aligning with this, methods such as organic cultivation and advancements in genetics and biotechnology notably improve medicinal plant quality and yield.
... Nonetheless, challenges like slow growth rates, prolonged growth cycles, high seedling mortality (Zheng et al., 2023), and low economic returns (Zhang et al., 2004) abound. Additionally, successful cultivation requires meticulous field management, including shade, moisture, temperature regulation, and fertilization (Singh et al., 2022). Current research on its artificial cultivation is scant, mostly focusing on chemical composition, pharmacological effects and seedling breeding according to the indexing results of journal papers, but there is a lack of research on ecological aspects. ...
Introduction
Paris polyphylla var. chinensis (Franch.) Hara (P. polyphylla) is a perennial medicinal plant with a reputation for therapeutic properties. It is imperative to study the photochemical processes of P. polyphylla in order to determine the optimal levels of shading and moisture management for its cultivation in artificial environments.
Methods
In this study, six shading levels (no shading, 30%, 50%, 70%, 80% and 90% shading) and three soil water contents (20%, 40% and 60% of the soil water saturation capacity) were established to determine the appropriate shade intensity and soil moisture content for the growth of P. polyphylla.
Results
The results showed that only the low shade groups (no shade and 30% shade) showed irreversible damage to the daily photosynthetic dynamics of the plant over the course of a day. It is important to note that excessive light can damage not only the quantum yield for electron transport (φDo) and PSII light quantum yield (Fv/Fm), but also various physiological mechanisms that can lead to overall plant damage and a decline in organic matter. A comparison of Fv/Fm during the midday period showed that the optimum shade intensity is between 50% and 70%. Low shading can significantly increase light use efficiency (LUE), but also reduces net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and transpiration (Tr), indicating the negative effect on P. polyphylla growth. Considering the balance between growth rate and damage incidence, 50% shade should be the optimal treatment for P. polyphylla, followed by 30% and 70% shade. It was also observed that treatment with low soil water content (20%) significantly reduced Pn and LUE, while increasing stomatal conductance (gs) and water use efficiency (WUE). This is associated with a decrease in the light response curve, indicating that low soil moisture inhibits the growth of P. polyphylla and increases the likelihood of irreversible light damage, so the optimum soil moisture content for P. polyphylla should be above 20%.
Discussion
Considering the economic benefits and the growth and health of P. polyphylla in artificial cultivation, it is recommended that shade be controlled at around 50% while maintaining soil moisture between 40% and 60% of water content.
... The preferable artemisinin plant principally includes traditional cryptolepis. In the Indo-China area, the maximum reliance has been on nutmeg, another selected plant for further investigation [6,7]. ...
Climate change significantly alters the distribution and availability of medicinal plants, affecting global health, especially in regions reliant on these plants for treating malaria. Medicinal plants, recognized for their therapeutic properties and low side effects, have been integral to malaria treatment in traditional and modern medicine systems worldwide. However, changes in temperature, precipitation, and other climatic variables are influencing plant physiology, reducing the abundance and potency of species crucial for antimalarial therapy. The current review examines these climate-related impacts on medicinal plants in malaria-prone regions, with case studies from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The findings suggest that changes in plant availability and efficacy threaten local healthcare systems and emphasize the urgency for collaborative, interdisciplinary research to sustain medicinal plant resources. Solutions may include climate-resilient plant cultivation and bolstering indigenous knowledge, which could lead to sustainable alternatives for communities affected by climate change. Keywords: Climate change, medicinal plants, malaria, antimalarial therapy, traditional medicine.
... The preferable artemisinin plant principally includes traditional cryptolepis. In the Indo-China area, the maximum reliance has been on nutmeg, another selected plant for further investigation [6,7]. ...
Climate change significantly alters the distribution and availability of medicinal plants, affecting global health, especially in regions reliant on these plants for treating malaria. Medicinal plants, recognized for their therapeutic properties and low side effects, have been integral to malaria treatment in traditional and modern medicine systems worldwide. However, changes in temperature, precipitation, and other climatic variables are influencing plant physiology, reducing the abundance and potency of species crucial for antimalarial therapy. The current review examines these climate-related impacts on medicinal plants in malaria-prone regions, with case studies from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The findings suggest that changes in plant availability and efficacy threaten local healthcare systems and emphasize the urgency for collaborative, interdisciplinary research to sustain medicinal plant resources. Solutions may include climate-resilient plant cultivation and bolstering indigenous knowledge, which could lead to sustainable alternatives for communities affected by climate change. INTRODUCTION Significant alterations in the geographic distribution of medicinal plant species due to ongoing climate change decrease the availability of useful medicinal plants for the treatment of malaria in certain areas. A handful of medicinal plants have been identified for the treatment of malaria. With hundreds of millions of new cases of malaria each year, drugs and insecticides are rapidly losing their effectiveness, and unavailable vaccines which might still be decades away, the need for novel strategies is rapidly increasing [1, 2]. Medicinal plants are also gaining in popularity worldwide, especially in developed countries, and are more frequently being utilized for the treatment of different diseases. The effects of climate change alter various aspects of the environment and might decrease the availability and thereby the potency of these plants. Of course, climate change is not new to the Earth, as climatic parameters have been changing considerably over geologic periods. The most current changes are now occurring with such speed, due to anthropogenic actions, that nature just cannot keep up. Moreover, indigenous or traditional human populations have been utilizing the same medicinal plants that are now being hailed as potential treatments for the unsustainable health decisions of the Western world for thousands of years [3, 1]. Medicinal Plants Used in Malaria Treatment Many medicinal or aromatic plants have been traditionally used for malaria treatment in ethnopharmacological systems and allopathy. The spectrum of such plants is diverse, and the most important species for malaria treatment are listed separately in every pharmacopoeia of folk medicines and ethnopharmacological reviews. The fact that medicinal plants are used to treat a disease highlights their specificity as well as success in curing. The widespread disease and incessant demands gave them the knowledge of plant remedies. Moreover, the potency of Indigenous plants in conventional medications is undoubtedly reliable, backed by the presence of diverse active groups like tannins and alkaloids that possess antimalarial properties [4, 5]. The availability of several antimalarial medicinal plants around the globe is scarce in ethnomedical systems, and each possesses promising findings over scientific analytical studies in antimalarial action. An exhaustive compilation of traditional antimalarial plants summed 311 plant species around the globe. The dictionary of our current ethnopharmacology circle around the globe
... In recent years, the cultivation of medicinal plants has increased significantly to meet the growing demand for their medicinal or aromatic properties in various industries, including nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, etc. Applying chemical fertilizers is a widespread approach to achieving optimal crop yield and economic viability in plant production [6][7][8][9][10]. However, the inappropriate use of chemical fertilizers can have significant implications for environmental and human health. ...
The microalgal have an essential role in agriculture, where they are used as biofertilizers. This study aimed to determine the effect of C. vulgaris extract on the chemical composition and biological activities of the Essential Oil (EO) of Mentha spicata. The extract of C. vulgaris was prepared and applied at three different concentrations (50, 75, and 100 %). The EOs of M. spicata were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The DPPH radical scavenging capability and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) techniques were used to assess the antioxidant activity of EOs. The antimicrobial activity of EO was evaluated using the microdilution method against Staphylococcus aureus. The results of GC-MS analysis of EOs identified 46 components, with Carvone (77.5–65.4 %), Limonene (10.31–6.9 %), β-elemene (1.56–0.98 %), and Caryophyllene (10.92–4.77 %) being the predominant constituents. From the highest concentration ranged from 100 % C. vulgaris extract to control respectively, yield and EO content ranged from 171.24 to 131.74 g/m2 and 0.34 to 0.18 %, respectively; Antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP methods varied from 1.56 to 4.45 mg/mL, and 405.63 to 68.68 μMFe2+/g, respectively; the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) ranged from 2.4 to 9.6 mg/mL in various treatments. The results indicated that the C. vulgaris extract significantly increased the yield, EO%, Carvone, Limonene, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities compared to the control. The extract of C. vulgaris showed promise as a biofertilizer to enhance the yield, chemical composition, and biological activities of M. spicata.
... Faktor internal antara lain penggunaan input seperti pupuk, benih, tenaga kerja sedangkan faktor eksternal berupa kelembagaan pertanian penunjang, harga, kondisi cuaca, dan iklim lingkungan. Usaha tani tanaman obat memerlukan kondisi iklim dan tanah tertentu maka sangat penting untuk membimbing petani mengenai pemilihan tanaman obat yang tepat di lokasi yang tepat untuk menghasilkan yang berkualitas (Singh et al., 2022). Salah satu daerah yang sesuai untuk budidaya komoditas biofarmaka adalah Desa Trosono, Kecamatan Parang, Kabupaten Magetan dengan luas tanam mencapai 168 ha. ...
p> Biopharmaceuticals are a type of plant that can be used as medicine. Developing farming for a commodity requires the role of various parties, one of which is agricultural institutions. Agricultural institutions are an important element in agricultural modernization and supporting farming in Trosono Village, which is known as a producer of biopharmaceutical commodities, especially ginger and turmeric. This research aims to determine the system, the role of institutions, and the impact of institutional roles on agriculture in the development of biopharmaceutical farming in Trosono Village. The research used a qualitative descriptive method and the determination of informants was carried out purposively and snowballing with a total of 13 informants consisting of administrators of agribusiness microfinance institutions, farmer group administrators, extension workers, middlemen, farmers and village heads. Data analysis used Miles and Huberman’s interactive analysis, then data validity was carried out using source triangulation and method triangulation techniques. The results of the research show that Trosono Village has an institutional system for both agricultural input and output, namely the Agribusiness Microfinance Institution, the Association of Farmer Groups, the Agricultural Extension Center and middlemen who work with each other in relation to biopharmaceutical farming. Each institution has a role that is demonstrated in the activities of each institution. However, in terms of institutional conditions in Trosono Village, it is still not optimal in accordance with the existing ideal conditions. The role of institutional activities in developing farming has a social impact on farmers such as improving relations, harmony and economic impacts in the form of easy access to capital, subsidies and marketing, so there has been no improvement in economic conditions. Coordination and assistance between agricultural institutions for biopharmaceutical commodities is needed so that a synergy arises in the implementation of programs and activities in the context of increasing biopharmaceutical commodities. </p
... Literature reports have also confirmed that indirubin has significant antifungal property. [28] However, previous studies clearly demonstrate that agro-ecological zoning, [53][54][55] sea sona l a nd geog raphic a l va r iat ions, [50] good agricultural/collection practices, [56] and various other factors during the cultivation and collection of herbal drugs [57][58][59] significantly impact the concentrations of active constituents. Hence indirubin was established as main marker compound in this study. ...
The study aimed to develop herbal anti-candida topical gel using ethanolic extract of leaves from the arid zone plant, Wrightia tinctoria, also known as Indrajau. This plant from the Apocynaceae family has been investigated for a wide range of medicinal uses, including pain relief, antifungal effects, inflammation reduction, parasite expulsion, ulcer treatment, dysentery remedy, diabetes management, cancer therapy, fever reduction, and wound healing. These effects are due to the presence of multiple bioactive compounds found in different parts of the plant. This research focused on formulating a pharmaceutically stable herbal gel containing W. tinctoria extract by applying central composite design for optimization and evaluating its phytoconstituents, physical and chemical properties, and various quality control parameters including appearance, pH, spreadability, consistency, homogeneity, viscosity, drug release, stability, skin irritation study, and ex-vivo anti-candida activity in rats. The herbal gel formulation was found to have a pH value of 6.3±0.1, indicating that it is unlikely to cause skin irritation. The prepared herbal gel formulation's spreadability value was discovered to be 22.17±1.5 gm.cm/sec, signifying good spreadability. The extrudability of 89.53%, demonstrated excellent squeezability. During dermal irritation studies, no signs of redness or swelling were observed in the treated animals, indicating the formulation's safety. The major skin irritation index (irritability score) was zero, confirming its suitability for topical application. HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of indirubin, a bis-indole alkaloid, as a major active chemical constituent. The prepared herbal formulation also exhibited acceptable stability as per ICH guidelines. Furthermore, when the gel formulations were applied topically to rats infected with Candida albicans, notable wound healing activities were noted. These tests collectively ensured that the formulated gel was stable, safe, effective, and suitable for use.
... Before enter into commercial cultivation of medicinal plants, an understanding of agroecological zone, good agricultural practises, quality targets, and agro-economics is required (Singh et al., 2022). Singapore, Japan, Germany, Malaysia, and United States have the highest importing advantages. ...
... Due to the beneficial effects of the rich antioxidant bioactive components in the human immune system, in earlier studies, it has been reported that European cranberrybush may be effective in preventing numerous disorders, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, cataracts, and neurological problems caused by oxidative stress [6]. The growing global utilization of herbal medicines for disease prevention and treatment signifies an escalating confidence in their safety relative to allopathic treatments [7]. The consumers interest in healthy ready-made foods is growing due to perceived time pressure, employment status, and workforce involvement. ...
Viburnum opulus L., (European cranberrybush) also known as gilaburu, cramp bark, snowball tree or water elder, a nutritious berry found in nature, contains substantial amounts of anthocyanins, phenolics, and vitamin C. Nevertheless, the fruit's delicate skin presents difficulties in adequately drying and preserving its freshness for an extended duration due to its soft and moist attributes. Foam-mat drying stands out as an inventive method utilized to increase the fruit juices shelf-life and liquid products derived from phytochemical-rich fruits, particularly those sensitive to heat, sticky in texture, containing skins or seeds, and prone to microbial and enzymatic degradation. The primary purpose of this investigation was to enhance the foam-mat drying process for European cranberrybush juice (ECJ) by employing a hybrid microwave hot air-drying system (MW-HAD), in contrast to traditional hot air-drying methods (HAD), through the optimization method by response surface methodology (RSM). MW-HAD drying under optimal conditions was compared and validated with the quality characteristics of ECJ powder (ECJP) using the same foaming agents by conventional HAD at 60 °C (control). Compared to the control, foam-mat drying using MW-HAD decreased drying time (DT) by more than 87.70%, while physicochemical properties mainly total phenolics, anthocyanins, and ascorbic acid content (AAC), were better preserved. The desirability function and the adjusted R² values were used to determine the optimum point, all the responses were found to be greater than 86%. The optimal MW power and foaming agents carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and egg white powder (EWP) were found to be 270 W, 0.76%, and 3.91%, respectively. MW-HAD reduces energy consumption by 66.85% compared to HAD. In summary, this study will pioneer ECJP production in the food industry. MW-HAD shown great potential as an effective drying technique to reduce DT while preserving the physicochemical features of ECJP.
... Ocimum sanctum is a botanical storehouse of phytochemicals known for their various health advantages. The main phytochemicals present in this plant are eugenol, methyl eugenol, linalool, ursolic acid, apigenin, orientin, luteolin, quercetin, aesculetin, eucalyptol, caryophyllene, rutin, vitexin, aesculin, isovitexin [40]. The major phytoconstituents present in the plant are represented in (Fig. 2 and Table 2). ...
In recent years, the growing demand for herbal-based formulations, including functional foods, has acquired significant attention. This study highlights historical, botanical, ecological, and phytochemical descriptions and different extraction mechanisms of Ocimum sanctum utilized in its processing. Besides this, it explores the utilization of Ocimum sanctum as a functional food ingredient in various food products such as bakery products (biscuits, bread), dairy products (herbal milk, cheese), and beverages (tea, juice, wine) while focusing on their evaluation parameters, preparation techniques, and pharmacological activities. In terms of other pharmacological properties, Ocimum sanctum-infused functional foods exhibited cognitiveenhancing properties, adaptogenic qualities, anti-obesity effects, gastroprotective, antiinflammatory, hypoglycemic, and immuno-modulatory effects. Thus, the diverse properties of Ocimum sanctum offer exciting opportunities for the development of functional foods that can promote specific health issues, so future research should focus on developing and analyzing novel Ocimum sanctum-based functional foods to meet the growing demand of the functional food industry.
... Global demand for herbal medicine has seen a tremendous increase as evident from a report released by the Research and Information System (RIS) for Developing Countries. According to this report, the herbal sector is expected to reach a global market size of US$746.9 billion in 2022, compared to a projected US$657.5 billion in 2020 [12]. Meanwhile, synthetic drugs have been successfully used to treat and prevent CVDs, but no cures are without serious side efects. ...
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been the major cause of mortality all around the globe. Lespedeza cuneata abbreviated as L. cuneata with the authority name of Dumont de Courset (G. Don) is a perennial flowering plant commonly grown in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan. We aimed to investigate the L. cuneata extract’s antiplatelet and antithrombotic properties as GC-MS analysis indicated that the extract contained short-chain fatty acids, which have been reported to possess beneficial cardiovascular effects. L. cuneata was extracted using water, 50% EtOH, 70% EtOH, and 100% EtOH. For in vitro antiplatelet analysis, washed platelets were prepared and incubated with L. cuneata with 200 μg/mL of 50% EtOH in the presence of 1 mM of CaCl2 for 1 minute followed by agonist (collagen 2.5 μg/mL or ADP 10 μM or thrombin 0.1 U/mL) stimulation for 5 minutes over light transmission aggregometer. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to assess platelet shape change. ATP release and intracellular calcium mobilization were quantified to assess the granular content. Fibrinogen-binding assay and clot retraction assay assessed integrin αIIbβ3-mediated inside-out and outside-in signaling. Protein phosphorylation expression was investigated by western blot analysis. Finally, the in vivo antithrombotic efficacy was investigated by oral dosage of L. cuneata 200 and 400 mg/kg and aspirin 100 mg/kg for 7 days, and tail bleeding and FeCl3-induced murine thrombus model were performed. In vitro platelet aggregation and platelet shape change were dose-dependently suppressed by L. cuneata. Calcium mobilization, dense granules secretion, integrin αIIbβ3-mediated inside-out and outside-in signaling, and protein phosphorylation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt pathways were significantly inhibited. In vivo assays revealed that L. cuneata prevents side effects of synthetic drugs via nonsignificantly increasing bleeding time and improving coronary artery blood flow and animal survival. Our results demonstrate that L. cuneata exhibited potent antiplatelet and antithrombotic effects and can be considered a potential herbal medicine with cardioprotective effects.
... India's population uses a variety of modern medical systems, including Allopathy, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha, etc. Without a monitoring and review process, drug interactions, bad effects, and misuse can wreak havoc on the nation's healthcare system [66]. In India, ADR monitoring programs are not new. ...
... Apart from the herbal medications prescribed by the traditional health-care practitioners, many individuals supplement or substitute allopathic prescribed medications with herbs or other herbal products considering less side effects and good efficacy levels (Singh et al., , 2022Nortier and Vanherweghem, 2007;Barnes et al., 2004). Although herbal and traditional treatment has historically been seen as safer than modern medication, it may not always be possible to completely avoid adverse effects or risks (De Smet, 2004). ...
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
The use of herbal medicines for prophylaxis, prevention, and treatment of various ailments is rising throughout the world because they are thought to be safer than allopathic treatments, which they are. However, several investigations have documented the toxicity and adverse drug reactions (ADR) of certain formulations and botanicals if not consumed wisely.
Aim of the study
The goal of the current study is to address herbal medication pharmacovigilance (PV) modeling and related considerations for improved patient safety. Also, focus is laid on the comprehensive and critical analysis of the current state of PV for herbal medications at the national and international levels.
Materials and methods
Targeted review also known as focused literature review methodology was utilized for exploring the data from various scientific platforms such as Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Springer, PubMed, Google Scholar using “pharmacovigilance, herbal medicine, traditional medicine, ADR, under reporting, herb toxicity, herb interactions” as keywords along with standard literature pertaining to herbal medicines that is published by the WHO and other international and national organizations etc. The botanical names mentioned in the present article were authenticated using World Flora Online database. Results: The historical developments paving the way for PV in regulatory setup were also discussed, along with various criteria's for monitoring herbal medicine, ADR of herbs, phytoconstituents, and traditional medicines, herb-drug interactions, modes of reporting ADR, databases for reporting ADR's, provisions of PV in regulatory framework of different nations, challenges and way forward in PV are discussed in detail advocating a robust drug safety ecosystem for herbal medicines.
Conclusion
Despite recent efforts to encourage the reporting of suspected ADRs linked to herbal medicines, such as expanding the programme and adding community pharmacists as recognized reporters, the number of herbal ADR reports received by the regulatory bodies remains comparatively low. Since users often do not seek professional advice or report if they have side effects, under-reporting, is anticipated to be significant for herbal medications. There are inadequate quality control methods, poor regulatory oversight considering herbs used in food and botanicals, and unregulated distribution channels. In addition, botanical identity, traceability of herbs, ecological concerns, over-the-counter (OTC) herbal medicines, patient-physicians barriers requires special focus by the regulatory bodies for improved global safety of herbal medicines.
... The quality of herb or herbal formulation is dependent on many factors, such as Good Agricultural and Harvest/post-harvest Practices, and storage, which mostly decides the presence of heavy metals, aflatoxins levels, microbial load, pesticides residues, and certainly the handsome presence of secondary metabolites that are responsible for possessing pharmacological properties. It is also important to remind readers that any herb or crop collected from the roadside is susceptible to heavy metal contamination, which can contribute to the cause or aggravation of diseases in humans, as stated in the WHO's Good Agricultural Practices and Collection Guidelines for Medicinal Plants published in 2003, and later by the National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of Ayush [6,7]. Many crops have their own set of agricultural techniques for improving quality richness. ...
Abstract: Background: A number of journal articles written by researchers claiming Tinospora
cordifolia (Giloy) is to blame for liver damage have sparked a wide range of debates between
Ayush and the allopathic medical community, particularly in India. Some even argue that promoting
Giloy-based formulations to the general public is a bad idea.
Objective: In this backdrop, the purpose of this essay is to provide a counter-narrative based on
some of the major gaps in the research that implicated Giloy in Drug-Induced Liver Injury (DILI).
Result: Time-tested herb, Giloy, which has been used for pharmacological benefits since antiquity,
as well as clinical and toxicological evidence suggest that Giloy is safe, and the observed negative
effects can be attributed to Tinospora crispa, a herb that resembles Tinospora cordifolia in appearance.
Holding Giloy species to be detrimental is unjustifiable unless other variables such as authentication,
standardization, Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP), Good Manufacturing
Practices (GMP), regularization of the market are considered.
Conclusion: This article emphasizes the importance of strategic collaboration between plants and
contemporary medicine in order to eliminate concerns about the use of Giloy by the general public.
... Quality control during the harvesting period of E. sagittatum is necessary to ensure the stability and reliability of its herbal leafage [29]. In this study, we conducted an experiment on E. sagittatum leaves by spraying them with mineral elements, with the aim of improving the quality of the herbal leafage during the harvesting period. ...
The harvesting period is a critical period for the accumulation of flavonoids in the leaves of the important medicinal plant Epimedium sagittatum. In this study, we conducted an experiment on E. sagittatum leaves sprayed with mineral elements with the aim of improving the quality of the herbal leafage during the harvesting period. We elucidated the changes in flavonoids (icariin, epimedin A, epimedin B, and epimedin C) in E. sagittatum leaves. The sum of main flavonoids content reached a maximum (11.74%) at 20 days after the high-concentration Fe²⁺ (2500 mg·L⁻¹) treatment. We analyzed the FT-IR spectra characteristics of E. sagittatum leaf samples using the FT-IR technique, and constructed an OPLS-DA model and identified characteristic peaks to achieve differentiated identification of E. sagittatum. Further, widely untargeted metabolomic analysis identified different classes of metabolites. As the most important characteristic flavonoids, the relative contents of icariin, icaritin, icariside I, and icariside II were found to be up-regulated by high-Fe²⁺ treatment. Our experimental results demonstrate that high-concentration Fe²⁺ treatment is an effective measure to increase the flavonoids content in E. sagittatum leaves during the harvesting period, which can provide a scientific basis for the improvement of E. sagittatum leaf cultivation agronomic measures.
... From this point on, the search for new and safe raw materials is essential to continue living healthy. Among the alternative raw materials, unexplored or underutilized plant species are of great interest and are considered promising treasures [2][3][4][5]. Wild plant species can provide alternative sources of health-promoting compounds such as secondary metabolites or vitamins, and they could help balance the diet and control serious health problems such as diabetes or obesity [6][7][8]. In light of this information, our group continues to discover new and effective raw materials from nature. ...
The biological activity of the aerial part and rhizomes of Primula auriculata were assessed for the first time. The biological activities (antioxidant properties, enzyme inhibition, and AGE inhibition) as well as the phenolic and flavonoid contents of the ethyl acetate, ethanol, hydro-ethanol and water extracts of P. auriculata aerial parts and rhizomes were determined. Cell viability assays and gelatin zymography were also performed for MMP-2/-9 to determine the molecular mechanisms of action. The gene expression for MMPs was described with RT-PCR. The levels of various proteins, including phospho-Nf-κB, BCL-2, BAX, p-53, and cyclin D1 as well as RAGE were measured using Western blot analysis. The hydro-ethanol extract of the aerial part possessed the highest phenolic (56.81 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (63.92 mg RE/g) contents. In-depth profiling of the specialized metabolites by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography—high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) allowed for the identification and annotation of 65 compounds, including phenolic acids and glycosides, flavones, flavonols, chalcones, dihydrochalcones, and saponins. The hydro-ethanol extract of the aerial parts (132.65, 180.87, 172.46, and 108.37 mg TE/g, for the DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays, respectively) and the ethanol extract of the rhizomes (415.06, 638.30, 477.77, and 301.02 mg TE/g, for the DPPH, ABTS, CUPRAC, and FRAP assays, respectively) exhibited the highest free radical scavenging and reducing activities. The ethanol and hydro-ethanol extracts of both the P. auriculata aerial part and rhizomes exhibited higher inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase, while the hydro-ethanol extracts (1.16 mmol ACAE/g, for both the aerial part and rhizomes extracts) were more active in the inhibition of α-glucosidase. After the treatment of an HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line with the extracts, the apoptosis mechanism was initiated, the integrity of the ECM was remodeled, and cell proliferation was also taken under control. In this way, Primula extracts were shown to be potential drug sources in the treatment of colorectal cancer. They were also detected as natural MMP inhibitors. The findings presented in the present study appraise the bioactivity of P. auriculata, an understudied species. Additional assessment is required to evaluate the cytotoxicity of P. auriculata as well as its activity in ex vivo systems.
Background: Inspite of extensive armamentarium available to treat fungal infections search of new compounds from herbal source is still on. Cassia occidentalis, also called as Kasunda, belongs to the Fabaceae family and is valued for its medicinal properties. These therapeutic effects are associated with existence of pharmacologically active components. Objective: The objective of study to develop herbal anti-candida topical gel from ethanolic extracts of leaves of arid zone plant, C. occidentalis and assessment of its anti-candida activity in rats. Method: To formulate a topical plant-based gel using C. occidentalis leaf ethanolic extract and assess its anti-candida activity, phytochemical composition, physical and chemical properties, and various quality control parameters were performed. Results: The herbal gel formulation, having a pH value of 6.8±0.1, showed non- irritant behavior. The spreadability of the formulated topical herbal gel was found to be 23.61±1.7gm.cm/sec. showed acceptable diffusibility. The formulated gel showed an extrudability of 88.67%. The irritability score was zero, indicating its safety and suitability for topical application. HPLC confirmed rhein, an anthraquinone glycoside as major active constituent. The prepared formulation also exhibited acceptable stability as per ICH guidelines. Topical application of the gel formulation on rats infected with C. albicans demonstrated a noteworthy candida induced wound repairing characteristic. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it was established that the formulated herbal gel containing ethanolic extract derived from C. occidentalis Linn. leaves exhibited optimal anti-candida activity, no irritancy, promising drug content, effective release properties and stable over a period of six months. Hence, it was concluded from the present examination that the leaves of C. occidentalis particularly ethanolic extract possessed good antifungal activity and may be explored for an alternative or supportive herbal formulation to existing antibiotic therapy.
Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, and Sowa Rigpa are among the widely practiced traditional medical systems in India. The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, oversees and supports the development, regulation, and promotion of these traditional healthcare practices. These systems rely heavily on the usage of medicinal plants (typically gathered from forests), their extracts, and medications. The current study's goal is to assess the trade dynamics of AYUSH goods in India. The export and import values of AYUSH goods were analyzed from the year 2006 to 2021. As per the commodity code, the AYUSH products have been categorized into three parts: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP's), plant extracts, and AYUSH medicaments and pharmaceuticals. The commodity code HS, pertaining to AYUSH products, was accessed using the UN Comtrade database. The United States and Germany currently ranked first and second to which India exported MAP's between 2011 and 2021. The United States has been India's primary destination for exports of plant extracts. In contrast, with a 17.42% and a 12.44% share, the United States continues to be the largest exporter of AYUSH products to India, and Germany and the United States continue to be the top importers of AYUSH products. Notwithstanding the many difficulties the global economy faces, there has been a positive increase in the export and import of medicinal plants, extracts, and herb‐based pharmaceuticals. Establishing standards for AYUSH products with worldwide compliance, value chain traceability, and AYUSH branding on a global scale are necessary to foster confidence.
Background and Goal
The Iranian economy has always faced serious challenges due to its heavy reliance on oil exports and the associated foreign income, which are susceptible to fluctuations and the finite nature of these resources. Economic experts believe that developing non-oil exports and freeing the economy from its monoculture dependence is an unavoidable necessity. Iran ranks among the top 20 countries in the world for the production of medicinal plants due to its high climatic diversity; however, it does not hold a favorable position in terms of exporting these products and their related outputs. This research was conducted exploratively with the aim of strategically analyzing the value chain of medicinal plants in Iran.
Materials and Methods
This study was carried out in two stages focusing on the role of key actors in the medicinal plant industry and the value-added processes. The performance of market actors was evaluated through the efficiency of the value chain links, and an analysis of SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) was employed to identify limitations and potential solutions, thereby illustrating the business environment surrounding medicinal plants. The statistical population comprised three groups of stakeholders, including medicinal plant specialists, managers, and experts from agricultural jihad offices, natural resources agencies, research centers, producers, traders, and managers of processing industries. A total of 31 participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods.
Results and Discussion
The SWOT analysis revealed 10 strengths, 25 weaknesses, 11 opportunities, and 16 threats. The results indicated a predominance of weaknesses over strengths and threats over opportunities. Consequently, the dominant strategic area identified in the SWOT matrix was categorized under defensive (WT) strategies. Defensive strategies were proposed to mitigate weaknesses and counter threats, including “providing incentives for regional investment in the processing of medicinal plants” and “reforming and streamlining bureaucratic processes for obtaining necessary permits for the production of final products.” Furthermore, 15 actionable steps were suggested to enhance strengths and convert threats into opportunities.
Conclusion
Given the significance of producing and processing medicinal plants within the domestic economy and in support of non-oil export enhancement, this research seeks to provide effective strategies for the sustainable development of this industry through the identification and analysis of existing strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities. Despite Iran's significant climatic potential for cultivating various medicinal plants, the country faces multiple challenges in the realm of exporting and processing these products. One critical finding of this study is that the export of medicinal plant products has thus far not been conducted within a structured and systematic marketing strategy. This highlights the need for new approaches and targeted marketing strategies to identify target markets and prioritize products. Understanding the needs and demands of target markets can assist in designing effective export development strategies and outlining practical approaches for exporters and relevant officials in national trade planning. Ultimately, proposing a long-term strategy for industrial development in the processing of medicinal plants and secondary product production can strengthen the value chain of this industry. A novel model of the value chain for Iran's medicinal plants, encompassing five links, has been introduced. This study can serve as a guide for policymakers and decision-makers in planning and sustainable development of the export of medicinal plants within the global value chain.
Recently, the consumption of medicinal plants and dietary supplements derived from natural resources has become widespread in many developed societies. This chapter discusses the growing popularity of the consumption of medicinal plants, their products, and dietary supplements in developed societies. With the belief in the lack of side effects, low cost, and antioxidant properties in preventing and treating many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, overweight, osteoporosis, and hypercholesterolemia, people are increasingly turning to natural products. In fact, the use of medicinal plants is safer and their employment can be carried out in much lower doses than medicine purely based on components of chemical origin. Manufacturers take advantage of this trend on the market and develop marketing strategies, focusing on health-promoting aspects, preventing diseases, and healing properties of herbal plants. It is recommended to use medicinal plants to maintain health and prevent side effects associated with chemical drugs. Also, high healthcare costs contribute to the increased demand for natural products with health benefits. Therefore, the marketing of herbal products focuses mainly on some health-promoting, disease-preventing, or healing properties, which often refer to natural bioactive compounds. However, you should be careful and know about potential side effects or interactions with other drugs, because medicinal plants can also cause adverse reactions. Valuable and reliable information on the properties of medicinal plants is extremely important for consumers to make informed choices.
Medicinal plants are enriched sources of drugs due to their chemically and functionally diverse secondary metabolites. Conventional methods of screening these bioactive metabolites require a long time, incur high costs, utilize substantial amounts of solvents, involve repeated exposure to heat (harmful for the thermo-labile compounds), and often lead to undesirable products. However, computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) has emerged as a versatile and cost-effective tool for expediting the screening of plant-based bioactive compounds. In this review, we focus on structure-based and ligand-based drug discovery approaches and their roles in rationalizing drug development. We discuss the technicalities, limitations, and successful applications of key components of structure-based (molecular docking and molecular dynamics) and ligand-based (quantitative structure–activity relationship and pharmacophore modeling) approaches in medicinal plant-derived drug discovery. Furthermore, our study highlights the significance of the pharmacokinetic and ADMET profiling of plant-based therapeutics in drug development. Besides the applications of computational drug discovery, we also briefly overview the corroborative in-silico and experimental approaches to identify potential therapeutics from medicinal plants. This study suggests that integrating advanced Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence approaches could alleviate the challenges faced by traditional computational techniques, thus enriching the screening process.
The influence of various potting substrates on the vegetative and floral attributes of three marigold cultivars (‘Pusa Bahar’, ‘Pusa Deep’, and ‘Seracole’) was investigated in the mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh. Eight different substrates were utilized, including soil+FYM (1:1, v/v), soil+FYM (2:1, v/v), soil+sand+FYM (1:1:1, v/v), sand+soil+FYM (2:1:1, v/v), spent mushroom compost (SMC), smc+soil+sand+FYM (1:1:1:1, v/v), leaf mould and leaf mould+soil+FYM (1:1:1, v/v). Among the different potting substrates, the substrate composed of leaf mould+soil+FYM (1:1:1, v/v) exhibited superior performance, resulting in maximum plant height (50.52 cm), plant spread (34.70 cm), number of shoots (11.74), number of flower heads open at a time (12.49), largest flower head diameter (5.60 cm), total number of flowers per plant (18.37), pot presentability score (80.60), available NPK (659.16 kg ha-1, 23.87 kg ha-1 and 335.61 kg ha-1, respectively) and OC (44.61 g kg-1). Regarding cultivar variation, ‘Pusa Deep’ demonstrated significant attributes with the maximum plant spread (36.24 cm), number of flower heads open at a time (15.75), total number of flowers per plant (24.57) and pot presentability score (79.40). However, ‘Seracole’ exhibited the highest number of shoots (12.02), largest flower head size (5.81 cm), maximum available NPK (505.26 kg ha-1, 18.15 kg ha-1 and 43.25 kg ha-1, respectively) and OC (43.25 g kg-1). This study suggests that a potting medium containing Leaf Mould+Soil+FYM (1:1:1, v/v) coupled with the ‘Pusa Deep’ cultivar is optimal for producing high-quality potted marigold plants. These findings offer practical insights for improving marigold cultivation practices by selecting optimal potting substrates along with the cultivar in similar agro-climatic regions, potentially enhancing flowering, marketability and economic returns for farmers.
Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine, health food supplements, rituals, and for health care purposes for thousands of years. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the worldwide production of medicinal and aromatic plants is estimated to be 330 million tons for a total area of 77 million ha. Nowadays, the sector of medicinal plants is subject to inconstancy, and issues about the yield, quality, and efficacy of plant extracts have been reported. The present review describes the current status of medicinal plants worldwide, including a detailed description of the sector in France. The suitability of vertical farming for the production of medicinal plants is discussed, and its advantages and drawbacks are presented. Indoor cultivation in a controlled environment requires appropriate adjustment of abiotic factors to optimize biomass and secondary metabolite contents. Light quantity and quality, nutrient solution, temperature, and CO2 concentration are presented in relation with their impact on plants and on the production of the targeted phytocompound. A case-study on the technic feasibility and economic viability of producing a plant-based drug in a vertical container is presented, including plant cultivation and drug extraction steps. Based on the costs related directly to the production activity, it provides a rapid estimate of the direct production cost of each step. The largest contributor to cultivation costs is labor, averaging 48%, followed by energy (20%) and investment cost (20%). The largest contributor to extraction and purification costs is the operating and maintenance cost of equipment (47%), followed by energy cost (31%) and labor cost (16%). The largest contributor to the whole plant-based drug production process, from plant cultivation to drug production, is the research and development cost (98–67%), followed by cultivation and extraction costs (1–24%) and drug manufacturing costs (1–8%), depending on the number of containers, i.e., on the productivity of the cultivation and extraction steps.
The majority of conventional medications and food supplements are created following the processing of medicinal plants. As majority of the medicinal plants are collected from the forests, the rise in the demand for herbal goods is placing significant strain on the forests while encouraging unsustainable wild harvesting of therapeutic plants. The current study's objective is to gain insight into current debates on the value chain of medicinal or therapeutic plants, role of various Indian acts, i.e., Forest Act, Forests Right Act, export, and other variables affecting the sustainable supply of herbs. A targeted literature search on online databases, scientific studies, and authentic texts was performed to understand the value chain, consumption, export, Indian laws, endangered species, and capacity building institutions, limitations, and future of medicinal plants. The World Flora Online database was used to verify the scientific names of the plants. Value chains for medicinal plants are wide and complex. There is need to weaken the role of middlemen and giving forest gatherers and farmers more negotiating leverage especially through artificial intelligence. The Ministry of AYUSH and National Medicinal Plants Board both play significant roles in India's medicinal plant sector. The different acts and rules pertaining to medicinal plants conservation, usage, transit, and trade should work in harmony and there is need for exclusive medicinal plants policy across India. Maintaining a balance between the protection of medical plant species and a sustainable supply of herbs to support the sector based on medicinal plants while empowering forest gatherers is urgently needed.
Trachyspermum Ammi (T. Ammi) is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. It, also known asAjacine or Ajwain, is an herb with Egyptian origins. It is distributed all over India and mainly cultivated in Rajasthan and Gujarat.This review is designed to discuss the updated pharmacological activities of T. Ammi, its phytochemistry, herbal formulations,and patents filed on its novel formulations and their actions. Until now, no such review has discussed the above mentionedparticulars on the same platform. The review aims to provide the updated traditional and pharmacological activities of T. Ammi,along with its phytochemistry, herbal formulations, and microwave-assisted extraction method. The microwave-assistedextraction method is less time-consuming, cost-effective, and gives more extractive value than other methods. We have alsoadded the latest novel patents of the T.ammi. It is an annual plant with tall growth that is fragrant and bears white blooms andlittle brownish berries, small, grey, bitter, and peppery. The seeds or fruit of this plant are the parts that are used mostfrequently. Ajwain's fruits have 5% essential oil in them. Ancient researchers highly influenced the use of this herb. The essentialoil brings on Ajwain's aroma and flavor. Ajwain is a potent traditional medicine that is frequently used to cure a variety ofillnesses in both humans and animals. To include literature evidence to support the article's theme, a search was performed onfive electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar, by using specific keywords.
Trachyspermum Ammi (T. Ammi) is a traditional medicinal plant belonging to the family Apiaceae. It, also known asAjacine or Ajwain, is an herb with Egyptian origins. It is distributed all over India and mainly cultivated in Rajasthan and Gujarat.This review is designed to discuss the updated pharmacological activities of T. Ammi, its phytochemistry, herbal formulations,and patents filed on its novel formulations and their actions. Until now, no such review has discussed the above mentionedparticulars on the same platform. The review aims to provide the updated traditional and pharmacological activities of T. Ammi,along with its phytochemistry, herbal formulations, and microwave-assisted extraction method. The microwave-assistedextraction method is less time-consuming, cost-effective, and gives more extractive value than other methods. We have alsoadded the latest novel patents of the T.ammi. It is an annual plant with tall growth that is fragrant and bears white blooms andlittle brownish berries, small, grey, bitter, and peppery. The seeds or fruit of this plant are the parts that are used mostfrequently. Ajwain's fruits have 5% essential oil in them. Ancient researchers highly influenced the use of this herb. The essentialoil brings on Ajwain's aroma and flavor. Ajwain is a potent traditional medicine that is frequently used to cure a variety ofillnesses in both humans and animals. To include literature evidence to support the article's theme, a search was performed onfive electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar, by using specific keywords.
This research explored the effects of the addition of low doses of aromatic plant biomasses (APBs) on the microbial community and carbon source decomposition in compost. APBs were reported to be capable of altering the composition and function of microbial communities in many environments. However, the effects of APB addition on the compost carbon source metabolism, a process highly linked to the microbial community of compost, were still unclarified, especially when added in small doses. In this study, Cinnamomum camphora biomass was added to the initial compost of Stropharia rugosoannulata cultivation materials, in a mass ratio of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 3%, respectively. The variation in the carbon source contents, the microbial community composition, and the related enzyme activities of the end compost products were measured. The results showed that Cinnamomum camphora biomass addition significantly altered the content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and protein of compost products, but did not affect the starch and soluble sugar content. Meanwhile, the addition significantly reduced lignin peroxidase and cellulase activities, but increased xylanase and laccase activities, and had no effect on magnesium peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. Both the bacterial and fungal community compositions were significantly altered by the addition, though the alpha diversity indexes were not significantly changed. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Sordariomycetes was significantly increased by the addition, while Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi and Eurotiomycetes significantly decreased. Structural equation modeling found that the variation in the bacterial community composition (0.464 standard total effect) provided a higher contribution to lignocellulose degradation, rather than the fungal community (0.365 standard total effect). A co-occurrence network analysis further revealed that the trade-off between lignin peroxidase and laccase activity, which was induced by the relative abundance variation in Proteobacteria, Actinobacteriota, and Firmicute members, was the main driver in the lignocellulose decomposition variation. This research provides a new insight into the recycling of APB waste, and offers an improvement to mushroom cultivation material compost.
In developing countries like India, official information on private health care providers is scanty. This is an obstacle for effective health care planning and policy development. In this paper, we present a project aimed to enumerate, characterise and digitally map all private providers (PPs) using Geographical Information System (GIS) in a rural district in India. A team of surveyors carried out a census of private providers in the district. This data was combined with official data on geophysical characteristics and infrastructure, demographic situation and location of settlements and public health care providers. This study highlights the need to consider PPs in health policy making in India. The survey identified about 2000 additional PPs over and above those listed with the health authorities. About half practised modern medicine (Allopathy) while the rest practised other types of formal medical systems (Ayurveda or Homeopathy) or informal therapeutic systems. Individuals with no formal health care training constituted the majority of PPs. Formally trained doctors were highly concentrated in urban areas while trained non-doctors and untrained PPs dominated in the rural areas. The study shows how GIS can be used to create an improved basis for health services research. In the future, the digitised map will be used as a sampling frame and point of reference for studies on quality and utilisation of PPs in Ujjain district. However, the utility for health care planning is less clear. GIS has limitations in countries like India due to lack of valid routine data to enter into GIS as well as to competing demand for health care resources.
Background: The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India has decided to emerge cultivation of medicinal plants as an attractive farming option due to a sharp increase in demand for medicinal plants. Punjab produces approximately twenty and nine percent of India's wheat and rice, respectively. At present, less than 1% of the state's land is under Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) cultivation. Agro-ecological zoning for potential medicinal plants is one of the major constraints faced by the farmers. The present study is aimed to determine the land potential for selected medicinal plants such as Asparagus racemosus Willd. and Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz. in Punjab. Materials and Methods: Agro-ecological aptitudes for the plants were defined by analysing the edaphic and climatological data of the past years. Base maps of rainfall, temperature, benchmark soil were prepared, defined and superimposed using Arc. GIS 10.3 to highlight optimally suitable, suitable and lesser suitable zones for selected medicinal plants. Results and Discussion: Asparagus racemosus Willd. was: Optimally suitable to zones-II, III; Suitable to I; Lesser suitable to zone IV and V. Similarly, Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz, was: Optimally suitable to zone I; Suitable to II and III; Lesser suitable to IV and V. Conclusion: This agro-ecological zoning model can act as a baseline study for other medicinal plants with same or different bioclimatic indices and can be used in any part of the world for determining potential growing areas for new crops.
Witnessing an increase in the demand for immunity-booster plants especially in the aftermath of COVID-19, it becomes imperative to highlight suitable growing areas for Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha), and Ocimum sanctum L. (Tulsi) in Punjab. The scope of this work is to suggest market-driven immunity-booster plants that can act as a substitute for high water, pesticides, and fertilizers-dependent rice crop to promote sustainable agriculture. The agro-ecological zoning model was devised by highlighting agro-climatic aptitude requirements of the plants and mapping their requirements with the agro-ecological conditions of Punjab with special emphasis on temperature, rainfall, soil texture, and pH to highlight optimally suitable, suitable, and lesser suitable zones for the plants. The suitability maps were prepared using Geographic Information System. Ashwagandha was optimally suitable for zones-II, III; suitable for zones-I IV; and lesser suitable for zone-V. Similarly, Tulsi was optimally suitable for zones-I, II, III and suitable for zones-IV and V. With no policy to regulate the right medicinal plants in the right area, this agro-ecological study is essential to upscale the production of immunity-booster plants.
Increasing demand of the irrigation water led to improper surface water irrigation policies resulting in water logging problems in southwest Punjab coupled with apprehension of saline zones formation by salinity ingression towards central Punjab due to excessive groundwater abstraction. A network of piezometers exploring 4 upper aquifers was constructed at 6 sites in Sri Muktsar Sahib district of south-west Punjab. Groundwater samples were collected from these piezometers, TDS was measured and analysed for stable isotopes (ẟ¹⁸O and ẟD). Based on isotope characterization 4 zones were identified as: (1) zone A: source as fresh water or precipitation (2) zone B evaporation either during precipitation or infiltration (3) zone C intermediate of evaporated and recycled water (4) recycled water. This study can be useful in proper management of the water resources in this region by identifying the fresh water and saline groundwater zones in the area.
To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, India imposed a national lockdown at the end of March 2020, a decision that resulted in a massive reverse migration as many workers across economic sectors returned to their home regions. Migrants provide the foundations of the agricultural workforce in the 'breadbasket' states of Punjab and Haryana in Northwest India.There are mounting concerns that near and potentially longer-term reductions in labor availability may jeopardize agricultural production and consequently national food security. The timing of rice transplanting at the beginning of the summer monsoon season has a cascading influence on productivity of the entire rice-wheat cropping system. To assess the potential for COVID-related reductions in the agriculture workforce to disrupt production of the dominant rice-wheat cropping pattern in these states, we use a spatial ex ante modelling framework to evaluate four scenarios representing a range of plausible labor constraints on the timing of rice transplanting. Averaged over both states, results suggest that rice productivity losses under all delay scenarios would be low as compare to those for wheat, with total system productivity loss estimates ranging from 9%, to 21%, equivalent to economic losses of USD 1.48 billion. Late rice transplanting and harvesting can also aggravate winter air pollution with concomitant health risks. Technological options such as direct seeded rice, staggered nursery transplanting, and crop diversification away from rice can help address these challenges but require new approaches to policy and incentives for change.
In terrestrial ecosystems, deep soils (below 30 cm) are major organic carbon (C) pools. The labile carbon input could alter soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization, resulting in priming effect (PE), which could be modified by nitrogen (N) availability, however, the underlying mechanism is unclear for deep soils, which complicates the prediction of deep soil C cycling in response to N deposition. A series of N applications with 13C labeled glucose was set to investigate the effect of labile C and N on deep SOC mineralization. Microbial biomass, functional community, metabolic efficiency and enzyme activities were examined for their effects on SOC mineralization and PE. During incubation, glucose addition promoted SOC mineralization, resulting in positive PE. The magnitude of PE decreased significantly with increasing N. The N-regulated PE was not dependent on extracellular enzyme activities but was positively correlated with carbon use efficiency and negatively with metabolic quotient. Higher N levels resulted in higher microbial biomass and SOC-derived microbial biomass than lower N levels. These results suggest that the decline in the PE under high N availability was mainly controlled by higher microbial metabolic efficiency which allocated more C for growth. Structural equation modelling also revealed that microbial metabolic efficiency rather than enzyme activities was the main factor regulating the PE. The negative effect of additional N suggests that future N deposition could promote soil C sequestration.
In this study, the geographically weighted principal components analysis as an alternative method for agro-ecological characterization of the region was provided. The spatial and temporal distribution pattern of soybean yield was analyzed by using spatial statistics technology, which provided a good reference for agricultural development planning. The soybean yield was selected for the present study because it is a comprehensive indicator reflecting the production potential of the regional agroecosystems. The organized data set, which included the average per year yields of soybean in 10 regions (206 administrative districts) of Ukraine, was used for analysis. The regular temporal trend, specific for each district, was previously extracted from the time series data. The principal components analysis of the detrended data allowed to identify four principal components, which altogether can explain 58% of the soybean yield variation. The geographically weighted principal components analysis allowed to reveal that four spatially determined processes were influencing the yield of soybeans and had the oscillatory dynamics of different periodicity. It was hypothesized that the oscillating phenomena were of ecological nature. Geographically weighted principal component analysis revealed spatial units with similar oscillatory component of soybean yield variation. Our study confirmed the hypothesis that within the studied territory there are zones with the specific patterns of the temporal dynamics of soybean yield, which are uniform within each area but qualitatively different between zones. The territorial clusters within which the temporal dynamics of soybean yield is identical can be considered as agro-ecological zones for soybean cultivation.
Consumption of high NO3 containing water may pose serious health hazard especially in children (< 5 years). The source of NO3 in groundwater includes surface leaching from wastewater and waste dump sites, animal excreta disposal, industrial effluents, and N-based fertilizers, etc. This study aimed to investigate the concentration of NO3 in groundwater of 14 intensively cultivated districts of Malwa Punjab, India, and its possible health hazards in local residents. The sampling of 76 sites revealed the concentration of NO3 in ranges of 38.45-198.05 mgL-1, and over 92% sites showed the high level of it than the safe limits as decided by the Bureau of Indian standards (45 mg L-1) and World Health Organization (50 mg L-1). The possible health hazards of high NO3 intake was estimated using USEPA human health risk assessment (HHRA) model for both adult and children. Results of this study suggested the chronic daily intake (CDI) in the ranges of 1.09-5.65 and 2.56-13.20 in adult and children population of this region, respectively. The hazard quotient (HQnitrate) value was > 1 in most sampling locations ranging 1.09-5.65 for the adult and 2.56-13.20 for children population of Malwa. This study indicates that 93.42% adult and 100% young population of the Malwa are at higher risk of chronic toxicity by excess NO3 intake. The HHRA results suggested a high vulnerability of a local community to NO3 toxicity in this region; therefore, there is an instant need to take preventive measures to safeguard the health of local residents.
Lesquerella produces a small seed that has 25 to 30% oil, containing 55 to 64% hydroxy fatty acid. The oil is useful for industrial applications, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and biodiesel. Lesquerella is valued for both its oil and gum. The gum can be used as a thickener in various industrial and food products. The aim of this paper was to develop an agro-climatic zoning model to determine the potential growing areas for Lesquerella fendleri in Argentina. To define the agroclimatic suitability of this crop, the climatic data of the meteorological stations corresponding to the period 1981-2010 were analyzed. The moisture factor, in particular the average annual isohyets of 250, 400 and 1100 mm, was first examined. Annual rainfalls lower than 250 mm determined a non-suitable area, from 250-400 mm the area was deemed suitable, optimal from 400-1100 mm and >1100 mm included another suitable area. The thermal factor was also considered, and annual temperatures < 13°C determined a non-suitable area. For the growing period, different ranges of temperatures were contemplated: temperatures below 8°C defined a non-suitable area; from 8 to 11°C a suitable one; while between 11 and 18°C the area was optimal and temperatures greater than 18°C defined another suitable area. Finally, it was determined that the intensity of the winter frosts should be less than -10°C, so as not to have a lethal impact on Lesquerella. Based on international bibliography, the authors outlined an agro-climatic zoning model for L. fendleri, where 7 classes of suitability were differentiated. This work was performed by the implementation of a Geographic Information System. The GIS database can be updated easily in the future with new data or with better spatial resolution data. If the purpose of the crop is to obtain pharmaceutical compounds, cultivation in optimal, very suitable, suitable and suitable with irrigation would be recommendable. Instead, if the oil is to be destined for biodiesel production, it is convenient to relocate cultivation to areas classified as suitable under subhumid and semiarid regime. Growing this cash crop in semi-desert regions would ensure lack of competition with lands destined for traditional crops.
As per WHO reports, about three-quarters (65-80%) of the world's population seeks plants or plant-derived natural products for various diseases. The slow discovery of new synthetic molecules and rising resistance in microbes against existing ones has triggered an alarm for speeding up the development process for new molecules. Traditional system(s) of medicine and plant resources has been foresighted again by researchers to circumvent the situation. This review represents various plant genera which, either as a whole plant or their parts, have been reported possessing antimicrobial properties during the last decade. Before 2007, literature is already well cited in various books and reviews.
The argan ( Argania spinosa L.) tree is indigenous to southwestern Morocco. Successful introduction of this species in Argentina depends on the degree of climate similarity in the natural area compared to new areas with agroclimatic suitability. Based on international bibliography, the authors outlined an agroclimatic zoning model for this tree in Argentina. To determine agroclimatic suitability, the average climatic data of all the meteorological stations (1981–2010) were analyzed. Climatological characteristics of its region of origin were considered to evaluate the requirements and biometeorological conditions. The maps were obtained using a series of previously interpolated bioclimatic variables. The agroclimatic indices, which determine different classes of suitability, were integrated in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to create thermal and moisture regions. The resulting maps were superimposed to determine the agroclimatic zoning. Eight classes of agroclimatic suitability under dry-subhumid, semiarid, and arid climatic conditions were delineated. There are no optimal zones for the argan tree in Argentina. This work can be updated by further incorporation of complementary information. Argan tree is a promising dryland crop for farmers in semiarid and arid climates of Argentina. This model may be applied in any part of the world, using the agroclimatic limits presented in this paper.
Environmental pollution from hazardous waste materials, organic pollutants and heavy metals, has adversely affected the natural ecosystem to the detriment of man. These pollutants arise from anthropogenic sources as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and volcanic eruptions. Toxic metals could accumulate in agricultural soils and get into the food chain, thereby becoming a major threat to food security. Conventional and physical methods are expensive and not effective in areas with low metal toxicity. Bioremediation is therefore an eco-friendly and efficient method of reclaiming environments contaminated with heavy metals by making use of the inherent biological mechanisms of microorganisms and plants to eradicate hazardous contaminants. This review discusses the toxic effects of heavy metal pollution and the mechanisms used by microbes and plants for environmental remediation. It also emphasized the importance of modern biotechnological techniques and approaches in improving the ability of microbial enzymes to effectively degrade heavy metals at a faster rate, highlighting recent advances in microbial bioremediation and phytoremediation for the removal of heavy metals from the environment as well as future prospects and limitations. However, strict adherence to biosafety regulations must be followed in the use of biotechnological methods to ensure safety of the environment.
Abstract: Environmental pollution from hazardous waste materials, organic pollutants and heavy metals, has adversely affected the natural ecosystem to the detriment of man. These pollutants arise from anthropogenic sources as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and volcanic eruptions. Toxic metals could accumulate in agricultural soils and get into the food chain, thereby becoming a major threat to food security. Conventional and physical methods are expensive and not effective in areas with low metal toxicity. Bioremediation is therefore an eco-friendly and efficient method of reclaiming environments contaminated with heavy metals by making use of the inherent biological mechanisms of microorganisms and plants to eradicate hazardous contaminants. This review discusses the toxic effects of heavy metal pollution and the mechanisms used by microbes and plants for environmental remediation. It also emphasized the importance of modern biotechnological techniques and approaches in improving the ability of microbial enzymes to effectively degrade heavy metals at a faster rate, highlighting recent advances in microbial bioremediation and phytoremediation for the removal of heavy metals from the environment as well as future prospects and limitations. However, strict adherence to biosafety regulations must be followed in the use of biotechnological methods to ensure safety of the environment.
Punjab occupies only 1.57% geographical area of India and is predominantly an agrarian state. About 85% of the state's area is cultivated with cropping intensity of more than 198%. The paddy–wheat crop rotation has led to a manifold increase in irrigation water demand. Unreliable surface water supplies coupled with excessive groundwater pumpage, due to free electricity and agricultural practices, has led to a long-term groundwater decline of 41.6 cm/yr in the state. The state of development and management of groundwater resources has serious implications for the future of agriculture in the state. Some of the policy initiatives taken by the state/central government to combat the problem have been discussed. The results of such initiatives will be visible in the years to come. Apart from various supply and demand side management strategies, the study emphasizes the role of people (participatory approach) for improving the situation.
The economics of production of three medicinal and aromatic plants, viz. menthol mint, tulsi and vetiver has been worked out using farm-level data from the districts of Barabanki, Sitapur and Raebaerli in Uttar Pradesh. The cultivation of these plant species has been found to be highly profitable, and farmers of these districts need to be made aware about this fact. The net returns over total cost have been found higher for vetiver (` 1, 53,933 /ha), followed by menthol mint (` 53,250 / ha) and tulsi (`40,094 /ha). The benefit– cost ratio however has been observed to be highest for menthol mint (3.27), followed by tulsi (3.21) and vetiver (3.04). The employment generation potential of these three crops has also been found quite high. The education of farmers has been found to be influencing the cultivation of aromatic crops. The study has drawn attention to the following aspects: (i) development of a package of improved cultivation practices, (ii) availability of good quality planting material of high-yielding, short-duration varieties, (iii) more demonstration / extension efforts, (iv) better access to timely and adequate credit, (v) access to timely market information, (vi) establishment of regulated market, (vii) introduction of minimum support price. (viii) contract farming. (ix) establishment of testing facilities, and (x) linkage with pharmaceutical and perfumery industries so as to boost cultivation of aromatic crops in the study area.
Panicum virgatum (swich-grass) is cultivated in some countries to obtain biomass used in the production of heat, fiber, electricity and second generation ethanol. Currently, in Argentina, this species is used for forage and as an ornamental. The aim of this work was to design an agroclimatic zoning model for swich-grass in Argentina, both for upland and lowland ecotypes, based on its bioclimatic requirements and employing a Geography Information System. The variables taken into consideration were: average temperature during growing period and reproductive period, frost free days and rainfall during growing season. This work demonstrated that an ample region of the country is agro-climatically suitable for the implantation of switch-grass in rainfed conditions or with complementary irrigation. The agroclimatic zoning for the upland ecotype shows that suitability reaches latitudes of up to 46ºS, while the lowland ecotype can be grown up to 40ºS. Thornthwaite's Moisture Index equal to zero was overlapped to the Argentinean agroclimatic zoning for upland and lowland types, to obtain the potential growing areas under dry-subhumid, semiarid to arid climates. The areas where switch-grass should be effectively tested are those categorized as optimal, very suitable, suitable, and very suitable/suitable with irrigation, located to the West of TMI equal to zero, which include dry-subhumid (0<TMI<-20), semiarid (-20<TMI<-40) and arid (-40<TMI<-60) climates. This agroclimatic zoning model can be applied to any region in the world, using the same bioclimatic indices and the classes delimited in this paper. © 2017, University of Zagreb - Faculty of Agriculture. All right reserved.
is considered extremely valuable as an energy crop worldwide because it adapts easily to environments with strong abiotic stresses (hydric, saline and alkaline) and produces large amounts of biomass in drylands. This species is categorized as an important weed in Argentina. The aim of this work was to design an agro-ecological zoning model for tumbleweed in Argentina, employing a Geography Information System. Based on the bioclimatic requirements for the species and the climatic data for Argentina (1981–2010 period), an agro-climatic suitability map was drawn. This map was superimposed on the saline and alkaline soil maps delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization for dry climates, generating the agro-ecological zoning on a scale of 1 : 500 000. This zoning revealed very suitable and suitable cultivation areas on halomorphic soils. The potential growing areas extend from N of the Salta province (approximately 22° S) to the Santa Cruz province (50° S). The use of tumbleweed on halomorphic soils under semi-arid to arid conditions, for the dual purpose of forage use and source of lignocellulosic material for bioenergy, could improve agricultural productivity in these lands. Furthermore, it could also contribute to their environmental sustainability, since the species can be used to reclaim saline soils over the years. Based on international bibliography, the authors outlined an agro-ecological zoning model. This model may be applied to any part of the world, using the agro-ecological limits presented here.
Medicinal plants are globally valuable sources of herbal products, and they are disappearing at a high speed. This article reviews global trends, developments and prospects for the strategies and methodologies concerning the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plant resources to provide a reliable reference for the conservation and sustainable use of medicinal plants. We emphasized that both conservation strategies (e.g. in situ and ex situ conservation and cultivation practices) and resource management (e.g. good agricultural practices and sustainable use solutions) should be adequately taken into account for the sustainable use of medicinal plant resources. We recommend that biotechnical approaches (e.g. tissue culture, micropropagation, synthetic seed technology, and molecular marker-based approaches) should be applied to improve yield and modify the potency of medicinal plants.
The growing biodiesel production requires the use of new technologies and alternative feedstocks to maintain the growing demand of this biofuel. The macaw (Acrocomia aculeata) is a palm native to Argentina whose fruits present high oil content. Due to its tolerance to prolonged drought, it is a promising crop for biodiesel and biokerosene production. The aim of this work was to design an agroclimatic zoning model to define the potential growing areas from macaw in Argentina. To define the agroclimatic suitability to produce oil, it was necessary to identify the requirements, limits, and biometeorological tolerance for this palm. In order to define the agroclimatic fitness of this crop in Argentina, the meteorological data corresponding to the period 1981–2010 were employed. The agroclimatic indices were integrated in a Geographic Information System. The maps were superimposed and the overlapping regions delineated the agroclimatic zoning. The agroclimatic zonation classified zones with homogeneous characteristics responding to bioclimatic requirements of this species, resulting in optimal, very suitable, suitable, and nonsuitable areas for macaw cultivation. The authors designed an agroclimatic zoning model based on bibliography. This model can be used in any part of the world, employing the same agroclimatic indices presented in this work.
Unprecedented growth of urban population presents a major challenge for sustainable economic growth. The State of Punjab which was known for its agricultural performance and dynamic rural economy upto 1990s is now emerging as a service economy dominated by urban sector. The State of Punjab has emerged as the sixth major urbanised State in India. According to the 2011 census 37.49 per cent of the State's population is living in urban areas and contributing nearly 60 per cent to State's GDP. The majority of the growing urban population was absorbed by the big urban centers which are likely to cause multiple problems such as lack of basic amenities and infrastructural deficiencies in these cities. Although the movement of population from lower order towns towards high order towns and cities and outgrowth of urban areas kept urban density almost stagnant, the area under urban units has progressed more than three times from 1971 to 2001. The net rural-urban migration has been increasing since 1971, which leads to the problem of slum growth and urban poverty in Punjab. © 2016 The Regents of the University of California. All Rights Reserved.
The cultivation of paddy wheat crops in Punjab over a prolonged period have led to decline in the ground water table, deterioration of soil quality and emergence of environmental problems. Crop diversification was suggested in various studies for sustained agricultural production in the state. With the help of Crop Diversification Index (CDI) it was concluded in the study that Punjab agriculture is moving towards specialization of crops in almost all the districts of Punjab during the period of1980-81 to 2011–12. Therefore, concentric efforts are required to stop the increasing adoption of paddy-wheat area. The cultivation of paddy crop is using lion's share of natural irrigation resources of Punjab as a result there is an overexploitation of underground water. Well-developed support system of government policies, innovative technologies, well settled production scenario and marketing system, socio-economic conditions of the farmers were main factors for specialization of paddy-wheat cultivation in Punjab. Strong institutional support in the form of new infrastructural development, research and extension strengthening, developments of cooperatives, development of marketing system of international standard backed by sound government policies is required for switch over to diversified crops and enterprises in Punjab.
Soil health in the Indian Punjab has been a debatable issue for the last two decades mainly because of lack of pragmatic scientific inquiry. The currently available literature not only seems in contradiction but also limited relative to investigation of the soil health in the light of sustainability indicators. The current systematic and multifaceted study was designed to provide a deep understanding of the soil health issues in Punjab, the epicenter of “green revolution,” in the light of socioeconomic factors. The results should be applicable to the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain. We used a database of 120 soil samples to measure the current state of soil health in Punjab and pointed out the main socioeconomic factors that affected it. The results were compared and contrasted with the available literature to investigate the temporal changes in soil health between 1980–1981 and 2010–2011. Results revealed average soil pH to be 8.2; electrical conductivity (EC) 0.27 dS/m; organic carbon (OC) 0.49%; available phosphorus (P) content 17 mg/kg soil; and available potassium (K) content 171 mg/kg soil. Besides agro-climatic conditions, the size of landholding and farmer education showed a significant association with soil health. Large landowners had healthier soils than the small and medium holders. Contrary to expectations, graduate farmers had poorer soils than those who were either illiterate or possessed average education. An examination of the temporal changes revealed that Punjab soils had become healthier across time, particularly with respect to OC, P, and K. The pH exhibited a declining trend, whereas EC stayed almost constant between 1980–1981 and 2010–2011. Crop intensity had no negative impacts on soil health; therefore, farmers may grow leguminous crops during April--May as third (Zaid) crop, which will not only improve soil nitrogen supply but also fetch additional earnings.
The narrow dependence on paddy and wheat cultivation along with incentives such as free electricity and water has resulted in overuse of pumps and significant depletion of ground water resources in Punjab. Stagnating yields and soil degradation due to intensive cropping pose a significant threat to long-term agricultural productivity in the state. In this paper, we focus on the farmers’ decision-making process and identify policy changes that are required to incentivize farmers to cultivate a diverse portfolio of crops and reduce dependence on paddy and wheat. Using data from four representative districts of Punjab, we quantify the impact of introducing alternate crops on the farmers’ profitability. Our analysis shows that incorporating horticultural crops in the mix increases net expected returns from cultivation for all land size classes. We also find that including alternate crops reduces water usage by up to 30 % for most farmers, while increasing the labor and working capital requirements. We also examine risk factors—price, labor, credit and yield risk—that might be contributing to the status quo and suggest risk mitigation strategies to promote crop diversification.
Stability testing is an important component of herbal drugs and products (HDPs) development process. Drugs regulatory agencies across the globe have recommended guidelines for the conduct of stability studies on HDPs, which require that stability data should be included in the product registration dossier. From the scientific viewpoint, numerous chemical constituents in an herbal drug are liable to varied chemical reactions under the influence of different conditions during its shelf life. These reactions can lead to altered chemical composition of HDP and consequently altered therapeutic profile. Many reports on stability testing of HDPs have appeared in literature since the last 10 years. A review of these reports reveals that there is wide variability in temperature (-80 to 100 °C), humidity (0-100%) and duration (a few hours-36 months) for stability assessment of HDPs. Of these, only 1% studies are conducted in compliance with the regulatory guidelines for stability testing. The present review is aimed at compiling all stability testing reports, understanding key challenges in stability testing of HDPs and suggesting possible solutions for these. The key challenges are classified as chemical complexity and biochemical composition variability in raw material, selection of marker(s) and influences of enzymes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Field and laboratory experiments were conducted during the summers of 2001 and 2002 in two locations in Nova Scotia to identify the effect of cultivar, transplanting date, and drying (air-drying and freeze-drying) on basil (Ocimum basilicum 'Mesten' and 'Italian Broadleaf', and O. sanctum Local') productivity and oil quality in Nova Scotia and to identify the potential of growing basil as a cash crop in this region. Results suggested that all of the tested cultivars of basil grown in Nova Scotia had acceptable yields and composition for the international commercial market. Greater yields (ranging from 3.6 to 19.8 t-ha(-1)) were achieved from 'Mesten'and 'Italian Broadleaf' by earlier transplanting. Local' had a lower oil content compared to the other cultivars. Linalool was the main component of 'Mesten' oil, linalool and methyl chavicol were the main components of 'Italian Broadleaf'oil, while elemene and alpha-humulene were the main components of 'Local' oil. Both air-drying and freeze-drying were found to alter the composition of the essential oil from O. sanctum and O. basilicum.
Agro-ecological zoning is one of the effective tools for identifying land resources and assign them to the best and most profitable forms of land productivity. In this study for Agro-ecological zoning of 16618 hectares of Qazvin province land in Iran, satellite imagery and Geographical Information System (GIS) were used. After Agro-climatic zoning (based on maps of isohyet, isothermal and length of growth period) and Agro-edaphic zoning (based on maps of soil, slope and land use) 43 Agro-ecological zoning were achieved. Then climate, soil and topographic characteristics of any zone were compared with Alfalfa requirements and land suitability classes were determined using parametric (square root) method. The results showed that studied area is highly suitable for Alfalfa cultivation based on climate requirements. In addition, soil depth and gravel percentage in the Northern part also salinity, alkalinity, lack of organic material and gypsum are major limiting factors in the Southern part of area. Potential yield of Alfalfa was calculated by using FAO method and 15031 kg per hectare was calculated. Also land production potential in each of the zones was determined. This loss of yield in compared to potential yield is due to the impact of limiting factors that by using proper management actions such as adding organic material to soil, land drainage and leaching can increase crop yield.
Understanding the constraints involved in the adoption of medicinal plant cultivation is the most important step to design future policies and action plans for effective outcomes. Keeping this in view, a model survey-based study involving medicinal plant cultivators by using a purposing sampling technique was carried out. Additionally, farmers identified via exploration of various channels from public and personal sources were geo-tagged using Geographic Information System (GIS). The digital maps shall act as a platform to establish linkage between concerned stakeholders viz. policymakers, traders, industries, regulatory agencies, and farmers. The scope of the study was limited to progressive farmers cultivating commercially important medicinal plants i.e. Curcuma longa L. (Haldi), Aloe vera (Linn.) Burm.f (Ghritkumari), Phyllanthus emblica L. (Amla), Ocimum sanctum L. (Tulsi), Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz (Sarpgandha). The survey questionnaire was developed through the expert advisory method, followed by statistical validation based on achieving Chronbach’s alpha value of 0.6. Statistical analysis of the responses by applying Mean Percentage Score (MPS) and significance determination using Chi-square test indicated prominent correlation among small and large farmers in context to technical, trade, social, and awareness aspects. The study highlighted the non-availability of quality planting material, lack of awareness about good agricultural and packaging practices, less knowledge about agro-climatic suitability, and commercialization avenues acted as one of the major constraints. The study will act as a basis to frame policies for promoting medicinal plant cultivation as a commercially successful crop diversification model in the region.
The covid -19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the global healthcare system and the economy. At present, no specific antiviral vaccine is available to combat this contagious virus. Traditional medicine has a long history of playing a significant role in managing several infectious diseases. In this context, scientists around the globe are also exploring various traditional medical interventions to prevent the covid -19 pandemic. In the present work, we summarize available scientific data advocating the use of traditional medicine for preventing covid -19. A robust literature review was conducted using scientific platforms such as Science Direct, National Center for Biotechnology Information ( ncbi ), Pubmed, Google Scholar, and online database like The Plant List (The Plant List 2013) version 1.1. Special emphasis was given to potential natural antiviral, immuno-modulator plants, and traditional medicines to highlight their possible roles in reducing the disease burden. Immuno-modulator such as Withania somnifera and other natural compounds especially glycyrrhizin, kaempferol, ginsenoside, and lycorine can be leading candidates against sars -CoV-2. Besides the need for rigorous scientific validation of potential herbs and related formulations, their use can be beneficial for the preventive as well as symptomatic treatment of covid -19 infected patients. This work provides a run-through of the experimental therapeutics, preventive and treatment options for covid -19.
Agro-ecological zoning (AEZ) is one of the most useful tools for recognizing land capabilities to be allocated for the best and most profitable types of productivity. AEZ, as applied in FAO studies, defines zones based on combinations of topography, soil, land use, and climatic characteristics. In this research, data preparation in Geographic Information System (GIS) environment and membership function defined in fuzzy inference system (FIS) then used weighted linear combination (WLC) for determining parameters weight for agro-ecological zoning of chickpea in semi-arid regions of Iran that includes climatic, topography, soil, and land use parameters. At first, a climatic zoning map was developed based on rainfall, temperature, absolute minimum temperature, and evapotranspiration maps. The topography zoning map was made based on slope, aspect, and hypsometry. Soil zoning map was developed based on soil texture and soil erosion maps. Moreover, the land use map was developed by land type and land cover maps. The results showed that significant parts of the studied area were classified as unsuitable 52.59% (1.388.731 ha), 27.84% (734.881 ha) and marginal with 27.53% (727.535 ha), 17.96% (474.566 ha) while the optimal zones were only 4.15% (109.697 ha) and 8.44% (223.210 ha) for rain-fed chickpea cultivation and irrigated chickpea cultivation, respectively. The results also showed that agro-climatic zoning and agro-land use zoning have an essential role in determining the optimal areas for chickpea production in rain-fed and irrigated conditions. The use of GIS and fuzzy inference system improved the accuracy of spatial data, more productive analysis, and enhanced data access.
Background
Over the last decade, there has been a sudden rise in the demand of herbal as well as Information and Technology (IT) industry around the world. Identification of plant species has become useful and relevant to all the members of the society including farmers, traders and hikers etc. Conventional authentication techniques such as morphological characterization, histological methods, and optical microscopy require multiple skills which are tedious, time-consuming and difficult to learn for non-experts. This creates hurdle for individuals interested in acquiring knowledge of species. Relying on rapid, economical and computerized approaches to identify and authenticate medicinal plants has become a recent development.
Objective
The purpose of this review is to summarize artificial intelligence-based technologies for wider dissemination of common plant-based knowledge such as identification and authentication to common people earlier limited to only experts.
Methods
A robust plant identification design enabling automated plant-organ and feature-based identification utilizing pattern recognition and image processing techniques resulting in image retrieval and recognition have been highlighted in this review for all the concerned stakeholders. Attempts have been made to compare conventional authentication methods with advanced computerized techniques to emphasize the advantages and future applications of an automated identification system in countering adulteration and providing fair trade opportunities to farmers.
Results
Major findings suggested that identification of microscopical features such as shape and size of calcium oxalate crystals, trichomes, scleriods, stone cells, fibers etc. are the essential descriptors for identification and authentication of herbal raw drugs. Conclusion: This computational design can be successfully employed to address quality issues of medicinal plants. Therefore, computational techniques proved as a milestone in the growth of agriculture and medicinal plant industries.
Herbal medicines are used widely in the United States, and according to a recent survey, the majority of people who use herbal medicines do not inform their physicians about their use. Herbal medicines can cause abnormal test results and confusion in proper diagnosis. Herbal medicines can alter test results by direct interference with certain immunoassays. Drug-herb interactions can result in unexpected concentrations of therapeutic drugs. For example, low concentrations of several drugs (eg, cyclosporine, theophylline, digoxin) can be observed in patients who initiated self-medication with St John's wort. Herbal medicines can alter physiology, and these changes can be reflected in abnormal test results. For example, kavakava can cause drug-induced hepatitis, leading to unexpected high concentrations of liver enzymes. Use of toxic herbal products such as ma huang (an ephedra-containing herbal product), Chan Su, and comfrey may cause death. Other toxic effects of herbal medicines include cardiovascular toxic effects, hematologic toxic effects, neurotoxic effects, nephrotoxic effects, carcinogenic effects, and allergic reactions.
With the gradual increase during the past few decades in health-related problems across the globe, interest in preventive medicine has surged. Herbal drugs have well-proven health benefits and few or no adverse effects so they are being used for medication purposes in the developed, developing, and Third World countries. This concept has become more relevant in the era of enhanced geriatric and lifestyle diseases. For the commercial production of herbal drugs, cultivation of raw materials/medicinal plants should be carried out in line with the terms of good agricultural practices (GAPs). GAPs, in general, have four integral structural components, commonly known as the 4Ss of GAP: clean soil, supply, sanitation, and surfaces. It starts from identification of the right species and its profiling. The use of healthy planting/propagating material is the foundation for a safe and healthy harvest. Agronomic practices include the use of healthy soil, inputs, cultural practices, and harvesting. Maintenance of sanitation in the field and of that pertaining to the personnel is of utmost importance for GAPs. Postharvest processing is an integral part of the GAP protocol for the production of a good-quality finished product. Thermolabile and light-sensitive nature of the natural bioactive compounds makes the processing and handling of medicinal crop produce after harvest tricky. Quality control (QC) and assurance of the plant material are other aspects of concern for the GAPs. QC and authentication of medicinal plant species can be done using biological and analytical tools. Molecular fingerprints using DNA from the plant material is the latest confirmative approach. Several spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques in tandem are being used for this purpose. Chemical marker compound(s) are being used for identification/authentication of the plant species. Some regulations must be followed during processing, including equipment in the pilot and industrial-scale productions. Safer herbal drugs can only be produced by following GAP during the cultivation of medicinal plants and enforcing its components for postharvest processing and handling. Herbal medicines have great potential in the present demand-driven market.
A basic investigation into the removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions by Sargassum sp. was conducted in batch conditions. The influence of different experimental parameters such as initial pH, shaking rate, sorption time, temperature, equilibrium conditions and initial concentrations of copper ions on copper uptake was evaluated. Results indicated that for shaking rates higher than 100 rpm no significant changes in copper accumulation were observed, as well as for pH values between 3.0 and 5.0. No marked effect on the biosorption of copper was detected for temperatures between 298 and 328K. The Langmuir model better represented the sorption process, in comparison to the model of Freundlich. The process followed a second-order kinetics and its calculated activation energy was 5.2 kcal/mol. Due to its outstanding copper uptake capacity (1.48 mmol/g biomass) Sargassum sp. proved to be an excellent biomaterial for accumulating and recovering copper from industrial solutions.
This chapter examines the output disposal and its impact on agriculture development of Punjab. An important feature of the output market is that the storage capacity for the food grains, both covered and open, was 234 lakh tonnes in the year 2013–14. It also provides evidence regarding how the regulated market assigned a special role to commission agents as intermediaries. These agents are often involved in the money lending business, and trap the farmers in this interlinkage to extract farmers’ surplus. These commission agents are thriving because the APMC Act of 1961 prohibits direct sale of food grains. However, it is also pointed out the lack of modern food grain storage facilities as a contributory factor in this situation. It is suggested that the government should develop, perhaps through public–private partnerships, new safe storage capacity (such as silos), so that wastage of food grains can be prevented in the future.
Tagetes erecta could thrive well in phytotoxic levels of Cd (50-300 mg kg(-1) ) and Cu (150-400 mg kg(-1) ) for 21 days. It accumulated high metal contents in its above ground tissues (3675 mg Cd kg(-1) DW and 3948 mg Cu kg(-1) DW), showed greater root to shoot translocation and high extraction coefficient; all of which pointed towards its potential as a hyperaccumulator. Both Cd and Cu stress reduced the plant biomass, foliar area, and number. Besides, there were significant declines in pigment contents as well as boosts in lipid peroxidation levels. However, the plant triggered a number of stress mitigation strategies to abate ROS formed due to Cd/Cu excess, mostly via significant augmentation of SOD, CAT, GPx and APx activities. Though the root and leaf anatomy revealed some signs of toxic symptoms, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy, at 50 mg Cd kg(-1) and at 150 mg Cu kg(-1) , the root showed maximum tolerance, with tolerance index of 85.4 and 91.7% respectively. The energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis showed specific Ca(+2) signals in both root and stomata, which could be associated with specific signaling pathway leading to increased root metal uptake and stomatal closure. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Plants have recently become of great interest due to their applications in modern medicines, nutraceuticals, food supplements, pharmaceutical intermediates, folk medicines, and chemical entities for synthetic drugs. Preparation, standardization, and quality control of herbal medicinal plants in Africa are essential to ensure the quality and consistency of the traditional medicinal plant products. In this review, we discuss the factors that affect the use of herb preparations; different modes of its preparations, which include concoctions, decoctions, tablets, syrups, and powder; modes of plant extracts preparation in laboratories were also highlighted in the study. Further, the need for steps involved, and different techniques in the standardization of medicinal plant preparations, which include microscopic, physical, chemical, and biological evaluations, purity determination and analytical methods, which include chromatography, control of starting materials, and contaminants of herbal ingredients were extensively discussed. The challenges and factors that affect the quality control of medicinal plant preparations in Africa such as identity of plant materials, variations in botanicals, and adulteration and contamination of botanicals were also studied, while the different parameters used for and approaches in quality control of herbal medicines which include validations and labeling of herbal products, pesticide residues, radioactive contamination, foreign matter and ash content, fingerprint and metabolomics approaches were also reviewed.
Background: A short questionnaire on functional status was designed for use in community-based outcome studies and in the management of individual patients who have musculoskeletal disease. As most musculoskeletal care is delivered in community practices, short, validated instruments are necessary to perform clinical studies on the effectiveness of treatment in this setting. Methods: A forty-six-item questionnaire was created as an extension of the work to develop the longer, 101-item Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (MFA) questionnaire. The Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) questionnaire consists of the dysfunction index, which has thirty-four items for the assessment of patient function, and the bother index, which has twelve items for the assessment of how much patients are bothered by functional problems. The SMFA questionnaire was evaluated for reliability, validity, and responsiveness in a population of 420 patients who had a musculoskeletal disease or injury. Results: The SMFA questionnaire demonstrated excellent internal consistency and stability, with most values greater than 0.90. Content validity for the dysfunction and bother indexes was supported with very little skew (less than 1.00), few ceiling effects (less than 5 percent), and no floor effects. Convergent validity was supported with significant correlations between the SMFA dysfunction and bother indexes and the physicians' ratings of patient function (for example, activities of daily living, recreational and leisure activities, and emotional function [rho ≥ 0.40]) and standard clinical measures (for example, grip strength and walking speed [r ≥ 0.40]). Convergent and discriminant construct validity of the SMFA indexes were demonstrated (p < 0.01) in comparisons with clinical, demographic, Short Form-36 (SF-36), and life-change data. The responsiveness of the SMFA questionnaire to change over time was demonstrated with standardized response means ranging from moderate (0.76) to large (-1.14) for patients who had changes in health status. Conclusions: The SMFA questionnaire may be used for clinical assessments of the impact of treatment in groups of patients who have musculoskeletal disease or injury. It also may be used in clinical settings to provide reliable and valid assessments of the health status of an individual patient.
Mankind has been using plants and natural products since time immemorial for fighting the menace of heavy metal toxicity both in humans as well as in environment surrounding them. Nearly thirty five metals have been reported to cause occupational or accidental exposure to humans. Amongst these, twenty three are heavy metals. The increasing use of such heavy metals including radionuclides constitutes deleterious health issues. Presence of heavy metals in environment and their subsequent effects on humans down the food chain creates potential health hazard. Therefore removal of heavy metal has been a subject of paramount importance. Results of an exhaustive literature survey of natural and plant based compounds against heavy metal pollution including patents, books and scientific data from globally accepted scientific databases and search engines (Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science, Sci Finder and Google Scholar), is systematically reviewed. It is conceived that a number of phytochemical agents as well microorganism can act as heavy metal removing agent both from human beings and the environment surrounding. Microbes which are used for the removal of heavy metals from the water bodies include bacteria, fungi, algae and yeast. Some important antioxidants such as flavonoids, pectin and phytic acid are also used for the elimination of the heavy metals from the human body. The present article is an extensive review that will offer a number of strategies and possible mechanisms for the heavy metals removal both from environment as well as from human body.
