Ethno-medicinal survey on weed plants in agro-ecosystems: a case study in Jahrom, Iran

Abstract

Most useful plant-derived drugs have been discovered by follow-up of ethnomedicinal information. Weeds, unwanted and uncultivated plants in agro-ecosystems, generally tend to have high content of bioactive secondary compounds. The main objectives of present research were to gather, analyze, and evaluate the ethno-medicinal information on weed species used by the native people of Jahrom, Iran. All kinds of weeds were repeatedly collected from various agricultural areas through different seasons of 2015. Ethnomedicinal information about these weeds was obtained through direct interviews and open discussions with local informants. Based on the results, 36 weed species belonging to 18 families and 31 genera had traditional medicinal uses. Asteraceae was the most dominant family having highest number of weed species followed by Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, and Polygonaceae. Most of weeds with therapeutic uses had annual life cycle. Leaf was the most widely consumed part of the weeds followed by seed and fruit. The weeds were traditionally used for curing various health problems such as gastrointestinal disorders, body pain, and metabolic disorders. It can be concluded that certain weeds could play a major role in curing the diseases and health improvements in the local people, especially in developing countries. Undervaluation and ongoing destruction of the endemic medicinal weeds in agro-ecosystems may have a negative impact on availability of the unwritten local knowledge about such valuable weeds in the future.

Salvigenin, a Trimethoxylated Flavone from Achillea Wilhelmsii C. Koch, Exerts Combined Lipid-Lowering and Mitochondrial Stimulatory Effects

“…Herein, we report the results of a comprehensive phytochemical investigation of A. wilhelmsii aerial part that led to the identification of 17 secondary metabolites (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17), including the not yet described sequiterpenoids wilhelmsin (7) and wilhelmsolide (9). The structural elucidation for these new secondary metabolites, including peculiar structural features, was as well performed.…”

“…Achillea wilhelmsii C. Koch is an herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family (tribe Anthemidae), widely distributed in Asia, especially in Iran (where it is named "Berenjasf"), Pakistan, and the Indian peninsula. This plant holds a remarkable place in traditional Persian medicine, with a particular indication for the treatment of pulmonary affections, and it is used by the local population for a variety of ailments [4]. Recent investigations have substantiated these traditional uses with a scientific approach and activity on irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis [5,6], and improvement of oxidative stress-related myocardial injury [7] have been demonstrated.…”

Ethnobotany of plants used by indigenous communities in Birjand, a dry region with rich local traditional knowledge in eastern Iran

“…It also shows that the informants share their knowledge about wellknown medicinal plants to treat common diseases. Recent ethnobotanical studies have also recorded digestive problems as the most common illnesses (Faruque et al 2018, Khajoei Nasab & Esmailpour 2019, Mosaddegh et al 2012, Motahhari et al 2022, Murad et al 2013, Panmei et al 2019, Rajaei et al 2012. ICF values represent illnesses in the research area and may serve as the basis for healthcare policies (Savić et al 2019).…”

Prosopis Plant Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Attributes: Targeting Clinical Studies from Preclinical Evidence

“…A study carried out in South America (Bustamante, Nuevo León, Mexico), also pointed out that the ingestion of P. glandulosa inflorescences may be useful to relief stomach pain [25]. In addition to the above, in Jahrom, Iran, P. farcta fruits have been consumed to prevent constipation and to reduce fever [24], whereas P. spicigera bark, leaves and flowers are used for the treatment of asthma in Pakistan [4].…”