Medicinal plants from the Himalayan region for potential novel antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory skin treatments

Abstract

Background and Objectives Adequate treatment of wounds remains one of the major medical needs globally, most notably in the regions with poor or limited access to health care. In many local and traditional systems of medicine, plants are often widely used for treating infected wounds. Aim and objectives The overarching aim of this project was selection of potential species for use in a future treatment by combining with plant resources with aspects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Specifically, we focussed on species used locally in the Himalayan region for the treatment of skin disorders and then assessed the existing pharmacological evidence for key species based on the published evidence available. Methods Database searches were performed to identify relevant publications describing local and traditional uses of plants in the Himalayan region of Bhutan, PR China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Using the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), species were researched in terms of their distribution including in different climatic regions, focussing on species mostly found in higher climatic zones (based on the Köppen–Geiger climate classification). For species used in three or more countries and restricted to the higher altitudes, data on safety, pharmacology, as it relates to dermatological conditions, and phytochemistry were retrieved. Key findings The study identified a total of 606 species that are used in the treatment of various skin conditions often associated with infections reported in 84 articles. Common weeds like Ageratum conyzoides and Bidens pilosa, widely used and cultivated species like Centealla asiatiaca and Prunus armenica were excluded. This ultimately led to the identification of a core group of five widely used species restricted to the Himalayan region (Cedrus deodara, Nardostachys jatamansi, Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburghii and Valeriana jatamansi). Conclusions Here we apply a novel approach comprising an assessment of the published information on the use of medicinal plants (i.e. local and traditional knowledge) in the context of their potential to be used in a biomedical form of clinical treatment – aPDT. Then, once sustainable sourcing based on access and benefit-sharing arrangements is in place, these species are investigated for their potential in wound treatment. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a new baseline for primary health care in some of the regions of the world with poor or limited access to health care.

The International Natural Product Sciences Taskforce (INPST) and the power of Twitter networking exemplified through #INPST hashtag analysis

“…For example, plants with antioxidant phytoconstituents, such as phenolics, carotenoids, allicin, mustard oil and vitamins C and E, are widely employed as phytopharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals and help prevent diseases caused from an overdose of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative health conditions (Wink, 2022). To reduce the financial strain on the public from poorer countries undergoing rapid (economic) development (LDCs), it is essential to focus on such sustainable resources for therapeutic management as they will be cost-effective, accessible, and in most cases safe (Chaturvedi et al, 2018;Heinrich et al, 2021;Singla et al, 2021d;Suryanarayana Raju et al, 2015).…”

Chitosan Membranes Containing Plant Extracts: Preparation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties

“…Generally, the chemical composition of plant extracts varies depending on their geographic origin, botanical sources, storage time and conditions, extraction techniques and parts of the plants used during extraction (fruit, stems, leaves, roots or seeds), increasing the difficulty in comparing the modes of action of the main active compounds [8,23,52,53]. Considering these aspects, HPLC analysis was performed in order to identify and quantify the compounds found in the extracts based on the retention time and similarity of UV spectra with the standard substances.…”

“…Many researchers have recently focused on herbal-based treatment methods to treat a variety of human health problems due to the broad pharmacological importance of medicinal plants [5]. On the basis of the available scientific information, plant extracts and oils have been extensively studied as effective antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapeutics [6][7][8][9]. Hence, plant-derived antimicrobials have a wide range of activity depending on the species, topography and climate of the country of origin and may contain various categories of active principles, such as polyphenols, quinones, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, etc.…”

Traditional socio-cultural utilization and harvesting practices of an alpine medicinal herb, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in Khumbu Valley, Nepal

“…Himalayas stand as the world's youngest, highest and largest mountain ranges, supporting a rich diversity of plant life. The region boasts over 7000 to 10000 species of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), which greatly support the livelihood needs of the people living in this area (reviewed in Heinrich et al 2021, Pei 2001. The inhabitants of the Himalayas utilize their traditional ecological knowledge to harness the natural resources in their vicinity, giving them a profound understanding of their environment.…”