SynopsisFour phytogeographical regions of Pakistan are recognised in an analysis of the phanerogams of Pakistan. Among the uniregionals, the most common element is Irano-Turanian (45.6%) followed by Sino-Japancse (10.6%), Saharo-Sindian (9.1%) and Indian (4.5%). Though in terms of the area, the Saharo-Sindian region occupies by far the biggest territory, the density of uniregional elements is lowest in this region. Overall there are only 6 endemic genera and an estimated 372 endemic species in Pakistan out of 4882 species. Highest numbers of uniregional endemics per unit area are met with in the Sino-Japanese region, followed by the Irano-Turanian and Saharo-Sindian region. Most of the endemics (78.22%) are confined to mountainous regions (c. 1200 m or above). Four areas, i.e. Sino-Japanese region of Kashmir (10.21% endemics), N Baluchistan (Irano-Turanian; 9.4% endemics) and Chitral (9.1% endemics), may be recognised as centres of radiation in Pakistan.

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Silene longisepala Nasir (Caryophyllaceae) is a plant endemic to Chitral District in mountainous north-west Pakistan. This taxon was previously known from only two localities. In field studies during 2005–2007, 24 new localities in lower Chitral were discovered. We found 608 mature individual plants in 22 localities in 2005, 520 mature individuals in 17 localities in 2006, and 531 mature individuals in 18 localities in 2007. Considering the population size in 2007, an extent of occurrence of 3,587 km2 and area of occupancy of 104 km2, we recommend that the species is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The main threat to the species is habitat destruction from road construction, land conversion for agriculture and soil erosion following deforestation; we witnessed the direct effects of these pressures on S. longisepala during our fieldwork. In some localities, however, S. longisepala is fortuitously protected by the general inaccessibility of its habitat. There is no legal framework in Pakistan for the protection of rare and endemic plant taxa on private lands and therefore ex situ conservation may be required for narrow endemics such as S. longisepala. Our methodology in this study, in which we combined detailed field surveys with monitoring, could form a model for conservation research on rare and endemic plant taxa in Pakistan and elsewhere.

Context: Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. (Cuscutaceae) has been used traditionally for treating sore knees and kidney problems, but its efficacy has not been scientifically examined in treating arthritis and nephrotoxicity. Objective: Present study determines antiarthritic and nephroprotective potential of the aqueous methanolic extract of Cuscuta reflexa (AMECR). Materials and methods: Antiarthritic activity of Cuscuta reflexa in formaldehyde and turpentine oil-induced rat arthritis models was appraised at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg doses for 10 days and 6 h period, respectively, and in vitro protein denaturation (bovine serum albumin, egg albumin) inhibition was studied at 25–800 μg/mL concentration. The nephroprotective effect involved gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats at 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg doses. Results: Plant extract at 600 mg/kg significantly reduced paw oedema and joint swelling with maximal inhibition of 71.22% at the 6th hour for turpentine oil and 76.74% on 10th day for formaldehyde. Likewise, in vitro results corroborated significant concentration-dependent increase in percentage protection at 800 μg/mL against both bovine serum albumin (89.30%) and egg albumin (93.51%) denaturation. Similarly, 600 mg/kg dose showed maximum nephroprotection by reducing serum urea (41.400 ± 0.510 mg/dL), uric acid (0.740 ± 0.032 mg/dL), blood urea nitrogen (18.370 ± 0.328), creatinine (3.267 ± 0.076) and minimizing kidney weight gain (0.586 ± 0.005) and histopathological alterations on 8th day. Furthermore, phytochemical and HPLC analysis revealed the presence of important phytoconstituents. Discussion and conclusions: These results suggest that AMECR provides protection against arthritis and nephrotoxicity that might be due to the existence of phytoconstituents, thus supporting folkloric claim.

The variability in the Acacia nilotica complex is explained in terms of hybridization between A. nilotica subsp. indica and A. nilotica subsp. hemispherica. This is substantiated by the study of phenolic constituents, pollen fertility and intra‐plant fruit variability. The hybrid populations may backcross with A. nilotica subsp. indica and A. nilotica subsp. hemispherica producing plants similar to A. nilotica subsp. adstringens and A. nilotica subsp. subalata respectively. The role of humans in directly and indirectly distributing the seeds of hybrid plants over vast areas and in creating the disturbed habitats suitable for plants of hybrid origin is discussed. Phenolic constituents of A. nilotica subsp. hemispherica and A. nilotica subsp. leiocarpa are shown to be distinctive. Probable hybridization between A. nilotica subsp. indica and A. nilotica subsp. cupressiformis is also discussed.

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Fifteen samples of different geographical origin including Pakistan were analysed for density, ash, water content, electrical conductivity, total acidity, pH, total solid, hydroxylmethylfurfural (HMF), minerals and trace metals. The physicochemical parameters were found to be within acceptable ranges (specific gravity 1.40-1.46, ash 0.03-0.21%, moisture 15.6-19.2, total solid 78.7-81.4%, free acidity 23.55-58.52 meq kg )1 , conductivity 0.27-0.37 mS cm )1 , pH 3.29-4.05, viscosity 33.4-136.4 poise). However, the analysis of HMF showed that imported samples were either exposed to a high temperature during processing or were overage. Greater attention is required, therefore, in the analysis of HMF and in deciding the shelf life, particularly for the imported samples before marketing. Pollen analysis revealed that all the analysed samples were of a multifloral type. All the data were statistically tested using principal component analysis (PCA) with the aim of characterizing the honeys and identifying the most significant parameters in the analysed samples.