Plants, people and traditions: ethnobotanical survey in the Lombard Stelvio National Park and neighbouring areas (Central Alps, Italy)

Vitalini, Sara; Puricelli, Cristina; Mikerezi, Ilia; Iriti, Marcello

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.036

Cited by 76 publications

(115 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The possible use of these species in dietary and/or ethnopharmacological traditions cannot be excluded. For instance, Urtica dioica L. (nettle) and Parietaria officinalis L. (upright pellitory) were widely employed for medicinal purposes, as diuretic, emollient and expectorant [102].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multidisciplinary approach for investigating dietary and medicinal habits of the Medieval population of Santa Severa (7th-15th centuries, Rome, Italy)

et al. 2020

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A multidisciplinary approach, combining stable isotope analysis from bone proteins and investigations on dental calculus using DNA analysis, light microscopy, and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, was applied to reconstruct dietary and medicinal habits of the individuals recovered in the cemetery of the Castle of Santa Severa (7 th-15 th centuries CE; Rome, Italy). Stable isotope analysis was performed on 120 humans, 41 faunal specimens and 8 charred seeds. Dental calculus analyses were carried out on 94 samples. Overall, isotope data indicated an omnivorous diet based on C 3-terrestrial protein, although some individuals possessed carbon values indicative of C 4 plant consumption. In terms of animal protein, the diet was probably based on cattle, sheep, pig and chicken products, as witnessed by the archaeozoological findings. Evidence from calculus suggested the consumption of C 3 cereals, Fabaceae, Fagaceae, milk and dairy products. Secondary metabolites of herbs and wine were also detected. The detection of marine fish ancient DNA, as well as of ω3 fatty acids in calculus, hypothesized the consumption of marine foodstuffs for this coastal population, despite the lack of a clear marine isotopic signal and the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in plant tissues. Moreover, the knowledge of ethnopharmacological tradition and the application of medicinal plants (e.g. Punica granatum L., Ephedra sp. L.) were also identified. The detection of artemisinin, known to have antimalarial properties, led to hypothesize the presence of malaria in the area. Altogether, the combined application of microscopy and biomolecular techniques provided an innovative reconstruction of Medieval lifeways in Central Italy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A multidisciplinary approach for investigating dietary and medicinal habits of the Medieval population of Santa Severa (7th-15th centuries, Rome, Italy)

et al. 2020

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In European traditional medicine, common ash leaves (Fraxinus excelsior L., Oleaceae family), which have been known from the time of Hippocrates, have been used in rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and neuralgia treatments; as a diuretic and anti-catarrhal agent; and as an external treatment for infected or delayed healing wounds. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Ash leaves are also claimed to enhance circulation and to have hypotensive effects. 1,10 Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, the European Medicines Agency has recommended ash leaves for traditional uses (1) to treat minor articular pain and (2) to increase the amount of urine for flushing minor urinary complaints.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

UHPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS and HPTLC profiling of ash leaf samples from different commercial and natural sources and their in vitro effects on mediators of inflammation

Kiss

Michalak

Patyra

et al. 2019

Phytochemical Analysis

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Introduction In European traditional medicine, common ash leaf infusion is recommended by European Medicines Agency to treat minor articular pain and to increase the amount of urine for flushing minor urinary complaints. However, a comprehensive ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography diode array detector electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS) analysis of this pharmacopeial plant material has never been performed. Moreover, the number of biological and pharmacological investigations proving the usefulness of this plant material in recommended traditional uses is surprisingly small. Objective Phytochemical profiling of ash leaf samples from different commercial and natural sources and the determination of the in vitro effects on inflammatory mediators in a model of human neutrophils. Methods Ash leaf samples were characterised by total hydroxycinnamic acid content and by high‐performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), UHPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS methods. The effects of leaf infusions on reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α), interleukin 8 (IL‐8), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1) production by neutrophils were measured using luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results In ash leaf samples 64 compounds were identified or partly identified together with four unknown compounds. The major compounds detected belong to different structural groups, including phenolic acid derivatives, phenylethanoids, flavonoids, iridoids, secoiridoids and lignans. The major compounds detected in ash samples were chlorogenic acid, quercetin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, verbascoside, oleuropein and ligstroside. However, one sample contained coumarin derivatives. This finding suggested adulteration with other Fraxinus species and/or plant parts. All infusions were able to inhibit ROS, cytokine and chemokine production. Conclusions The performed phytochemical and biological analyses contribute to the knowledge about this pharmacopeial plant material and supports its traditional use to treat minor inflammatory complaints.

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“…The purpose of ethnobotanical investigation is often to select species with which to stimulate pharmacological studies. However, in the context of sustainable land management, the traditional knowledge can also be useful in the improvement of local products by promoting responsible tourism, particularly in nature reserves [14,15]. The alimurgic flora represents a strategic resource to which it is possible to associate many positive agri-food, ecological, and sociocultural values: food source, organic crops, low environmental impact, enhancement of local resources, conservation of biodiversity, conservation of traditional knowledge, income support to medium-sized companies, and introduction into the diet of new species with medicinal and nutraceutical potential [14].…”

Section: Phytoalimurgymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main flavonoids identified in P. trifoliata juice were also investigated for their inhibitory activity. All tested compounds, narirutin (13; Figure 2), poncirin (14), didymin (15), naringin (16), hesperidin (17), and neoeriocitrin (18) demonstrated α-amylaseand α-glucosidase-inhibitory properties in a concentration-dependent manner, being even more active against α-amylase than the positive control acarbose (19) Several citrus juices are also able to exert hypoglycemic effects. The administration of Citrus paradisi Macfad.…”

Section: In Vitro and In Vivo Effects On Carbohydrate Metabolismmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Biologically Active Natural Products from Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants: Benefits in the Treatment of Obesity and Its Related Disorders

2020

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Wild foods constitute an essential component of people’s diets around the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), over 100 million people in the EU consume wild foods, while 65 million collect some form of wild food themselves. The Mediterranean basin is a biodiversity hotspot of wild edible species. Nowadays, due to the renewed interest in alimurgic plants and the recent findings on the beneficial role of their phytochemical constituents, these species have been defined as “new functional foods”. Research on natural products has recently regained importance with the growing understanding of their biological significance. Botanical food supplements marketed for weight and fat loss in obese subjects will be one of the most important items in marketed nutraceuticals. The aim of this report was to review the phytochemical compounds of Mediterranean wild edible species and their therapeutic potential against obesity and its related disorders. Results on the in vitro and in vivo activity of the most interesting plant extracts and their bioactive components are presented and discussed. The most interesting discoveries on their mechanisms of action are reported as well. Overall, this contribution highlights the importance and beneficial health roles of wild edible species.

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Plants, people and traditions: ethnobotanical survey in the Lombard Stelvio National Park and neighbouring areas (Central Alps, Italy)

Cited by 76 publications

References 33 publications

A multidisciplinary approach for investigating dietary and medicinal habits of the Medieval population of Santa Severa (7th-15th centuries, Rome, Italy)

A multidisciplinary approach for investigating dietary and medicinal habits of the Medieval population of Santa Severa (7th-15th centuries, Rome, Italy)

UHPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS/MS and HPTLC profiling of ash leaf samples from different commercial and natural sources and their in vitro effects on mediators of inflammation

A Review of Biologically Active Natural Products from Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants: Benefits in the Treatment of Obesity and Its Related Disorders

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