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Objectives Croton tiglium Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) is an ancient medicinal plant that has been used for a long time, which is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. And it is widely used for defecation, induced labour, treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, headache, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. Key findings Approximately 150 compounds have been isolated and identified from the seeds, stems, leaves and branches of C. tiglium, including fatty acids, terpenoids, alkaloids, the plants proteins and other types of components. Based on a wide range of biological properties, C. tiglium has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as antitumor, anti-HIV, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. Summary The review aims to provide a critical and comprehensive evaluation of the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of C. tiglium, with a vision for promoting further pharmaceutical research to explore its complete potential for better clinical application. The tigliane diterpenoids have been the most studied compounds isolated from C. tiglium, which showing a variety of biological activities, but there is insufficient evidence to explain the mechanism of action. In addition, C. tiglium may have potential toxic effects, and it is necessary to reduce the toxic effects to ensure the safety of clinical medication, which may promote the discovery and development of new drugs.

During his short but productive career, Noël Bernard (1874–1911) shed much light on the nature of the endophytic fungi found in orchids and their importance to their survival. His major discovery was the symbiotic germination of orchid seeds. On the 3 May 1899, at the age of 25 and still studying for his doctorate, while walking in the Fontainebleau Forest near Melun, where he was doing his military national service, he discovered a dead, rotting infructescence of the achlorophyllous Neottia nidus-avis (bird’s-nest orchid). According to Joseph Arditti (2022), Bernard’s discovery of orchid mycorrhiza is one of the five most important orchid discoveries, the other four being the early writings by Theophrastus on orchids in Europe, the establishment of the family Orchidaceae by Lindley, Lewis Knudson’s method for asymbiotic seed germination, and Gavino Rotor’s first orchid micropropagation. In a letter to Joseph Magrou, the French physicist Jean Perrin (1870–1942), winner of the 1926 Nobel Prize, gives us a clear glimpse into the rich potential of Noël Bernard: ‘I recently saw Jacques Loebb, a physiologist at the Rockefeller Institute. […] We spoke a lot about Noël, whom he admires a lot. I told him that Bernard was probably the greatest hope of French botany and that his death had perhaps been a bigger social loss than that of [Marie] Curie or [Henri] Poincaré’.

Tsaoko Fructus, the dried ripe fruit of Amomum tsao-ko Crevost & Lemarié, is used as both medicinal material and food additive. This review summarized the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological progress on Tsaoko Fructus. One classical prescription and the other 11 representative prescriptions containing Tsaoko Fructus were reviewed. The indications of these prescriptions are major in treating spleen and stomach disorders and epidemic febrile diseases including malaria. At least 209 compounds have been isolated and identified from Tsaoko Fructus, most of which belong to terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and organic acids. Essential oil, crude extract, and some compounds were observed to have pharmacological activities such as anti-biotics, anti-inflammation, antioxidant, mostly via in vitro experiments. However, the mechanism of its medicinal uses remains unclear. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of Tsaoko Fructus, which will be beneficial to exploring the mechanism and potential medicinal applications of Tsaoko Fructus, as well as developing a rational quality control system for Tsaoko Fructus as a medicinal material in the future. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11101-021-09793-x.

Background: Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba (white cabbage) is a cruciferous vegetable used as a vegetable and traditional medicine all over the world. Different preparation from several parts of the plant- roots, shoots, leaves, and the whole plant are used to treat a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, cancer, gastric, inflammation, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, bacterial, oxidation, and obesity. Objective: The aim of the current review is to evaluate the botany, distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of B. oleracea var. capitata. Moreover, this review will guide to fill the existing gaps in information and highlight additional research prospects in the field of phytochemistry and pharmacology. Method: Various resources, including research papers, review papers, books, and reports, were collected to obtain overall information on Brassica oleracea var. capitata, which were obtained by an online search of worldwide-accepted scientific databases. Phytochemical constituents’ structures were drawn by ChemDraw software. Results: About 72 isolated phytochemical compounds of B. oleracea var. capitata have been collected from different articles, which included different types of compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, organic acids, glucosinolates, steroids, hydrocarbons, etc. Crude extracts and phytoconstituents of B. oleracea var. capitata have various pharmacological effects, including antidiabetic, anticancer, antihypertensive, anticholesterolemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-obesity, anticoagulant, and hepatoprotective. We have enlisted all these pharmacological data along with all the phytochemical constituents of Brassica oleracea var. capitata. Conclusion: The study was focused on the traditional uses, pharmacological activities, and phytochemistry of Brassica oleracea var. capitata, and the findings indicated that B. oleracea var. capitata is an important medicinal plant that shows several pharmacological effects. We hope our review of this plant will provide more basic and useful information and fill some research gaps for further investigation and drug design. Although we found some important traditional uses and pharmacological activities of Brassica oleracea var. capitata, there is insufficient work in the field of phytochemical activities.

Botany and EthnobotanyEthnobotany is the investigation of how individuals of a specific culture and district utilize native (local) plants. Plants give food, medication, cover, colors, filaments, oils, saps, gums, cleansers, waxes, plastic, tannins, and even add to the air we relax.What is ethnobotany and what difference does it make? Ethno (as in 'ethnic') alludes to individuals, culture, a culture's aggregate group of convictions, tasteful, language, information, and practice. Natural science is the investigation of plants — from the smallest greenery or piece of turf to the tallest or most established tree. Also The California Tribes of California Native American tribes are native to California and shaman life pertaining to medicinal plants This vast territory includes: Bear River, Mattale, Lassick, Nogatl, Wintun, Yana, Yahi, Maidu, Wintun, Sinkyone, Wailaki, Kato, Yuki, Pomo, Lake Miwok, Wappo, Coast Miwok, Interior Miwok, Wappo, Coast Miwok, Interior Miwok, Monache, Yokuts, Costanoan, Esselen, Salinan and Tubatulabal tribes. Shamanism, the supposed individual control of the supernatural through a personally acquired power of communication with the spirit world, rests upon much the same basis in California as elsewhere in North America. In general among uncivilized tribes the simpler the stage of culture the more important the shaman. It is as if he constituted an element that remained nearly constant in quantity of effect, as it is fundamentally unvarying in form, through all successive periods of civilization to the highest; but that as increase in degree of civilization brought with it ever more and more new elements, religious and otherwise, and these unfolded in ever expanding complexity, he became, relatively to the total mass of thought and action of a people, less and less important.&nbsp

—“Plant blindness” is affecting humans’ relationships with plants, which has negative consequences for both science and conservation. It is, therefore, important to find new ways to promote societal interest in botany and plants. One possibility is encouraging the use of informal settings to promote curiosity and provide education to students. Forest fragments can be regarded as open air labs for teaching botany, especially on university campuses. We aimed to formally document the angiosperm diversity in the Mata dos Saguis (MS), a fragment of Atlantic forest under restoration belonging to the central campus of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Brazil. We recorded 140 species, 113 genera in 52 families, and 24 orders of angiosperms. The MS has nearly 10% of the species and one third of all the families occurring in the entire state of Rio Grande do Norte, representing the main evolutionary groups of angiosperms, and we also recorded two new species occurrences for the state. Here we provide a checklist of the MS, a location that has been used as an open-air laboratory by many UFRN undergraduate courses in biosciences. We also share examples that can be replicated in other institutions and discuss the process of learning systematic botany in floristically rich countries by means of alternative and hands-on experiences.

The rhizomes of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge., belonging to the family Liliaceae, are named 'Zhi-mu' according to traditional Chinese medicine theory. It is a medicinal plant that has long been used as a tonic agent in various ethnomedicinal systems in East Asia, especially in China, and also for treating arthralgia, hematochezia, tidal fever, night sweats, cough, dry mouth and tongue, hemoptysis, etc. THE ARM OF THE REVIEW: The review aims to provide a systematic overview of botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and quality control of Anemarrhena asphodeloides and to explore the future therapeutic potential and scientific potential of this plant.A comprehensive literature search was performed on Anemarrhena asphodeloides using scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, CNKI, Elsevier, SpringerLink, ACS publications, ancient books, Doctoral and master's Theses. Collected data from different sources was comprehensively summarised for botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and quality control of Anemarrhena asphodeloides.A comprehensive analysis of the literature as mentioned above confirmed that the ethnomedical uses of Anemarrhena asphodeloides had a history of thousands of years in eastern Asian countries. Two hundred sixty-nine compounds have been identified from Anemarrhena asphodeloides, including steroidal saponins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, steroids, organic acids, polysaccharides, benzophenones and other ingredients. Studies have shown that the extracts and compounds from Anemarrhena asphodeloides have extensive pharmacological activities, such as nervous system activity, antitumour, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiosteoporotic, antiallergic, antiplatelet aggregation, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-ageing, hair growth promoting, preventing cell damage, etc. Evaluating the quality and toxicity of Anemarrhena asphodeloides is essential to confirm its safe use in humans.Anemarrhena asphodeloides is widely used in traditional medicine and have diverse chemical constituents with obvious biological activities. Nevertheless, more studies should be carried out in animals and humans to evaluate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in its biological activity and confirm its safe use.

Asperugo procumbens is a medicinal plant widely distributed in the world, which is commonly used in the traditional medicine of the Middle East, while currently overlooked in European pharmacopoeias. The aim of the study is to present a comprehensive overview of A. procumbens in botany, traditional medicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology according to the up-to-date data. Scientific literature on the species was collected based on publicly available databases such as: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google, Google Scholar as well as monographs and PhD theses. In traditional medicine the aerial part of A. procumbens is used for treatment of skin infections, herpes, liver and respiratory tract diseases, to strengthen the heart and the nervous system, and others. Contemporary studies on the pharmacological activity of A. procumbens revealed that it exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antidepressant, sedative-hypnotic, antibacterial, as well as chemopreventive and antihypertensive properties. Despite many proven medicinal properties, the species does not have a developed phytochemical profile and its chemical composition is very poorly understood. The species is known to contain tannins, flavonoids and phenolics. Only the content of fatty acids is recognised in detail. The species is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids – stearidonic acid (SDA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), and omega-6 fatty acid – γ-linolenic acid (GLA). This article, based on the available literature, highlights the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of A. procumbens, which may provide a foundation for further pharmacological study as well as clinical application of the species. Keywords: Asperugo procumbens, German madwort, Boraginaceae, traditional uses

Objectives Curcumae Radix, the medicinal part is radix, commonly called as Yujin (Chinese:郁金), is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine for its high medicinal value and health benefits. Curcumae Radix has been used to treat conditions such as syndrome of heat disease and unconsciousness, epilepsy and internal stagnation of phlegm, qi stagnation and blood stasis, dysmenorrhoea, jaundice, cholelithiasis caused by dampness heat of liver and gallbladder. This review aims to summarize the botany, traditional usages, processing, phytochemistry, quality control, pharmacology and toxicology of Curcumae Radix to better understand its therapeutic potential. Key findings So far, a variety of chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from Curcumae Radix, mainly including volatile oil and diphenylheptanes. Modern research shows that the extracts and compounds from Curcumae Radix possess wide-ranging pharmacological effects, including anti-tumour, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, anti-thrombosis, as well as effects on the nervous system and others. Summary Curcumae Radix holds an important position in traditional system of medicine. It is cost-effective and an important plant with curative application in contemporary medicine. However, further in-depth studies are also needed to determine the medical uses of this plant and its chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, quality control and toxicology.

This study explored how the use of three different pedagogical frameworks (community science, storytelling, and inquiry-based learning) influenced learners’ awareness and appreciation of flagellate plants in an undergraduate online botany course. Students’ opinions, attitudes, and perceptions toward science were explored using the Classroom Undergraduate Research Experience survey. Qualitative and quantitative results indicated that although most students appreciated all three activities, the storytelling activity produced the most positive perceptions of learning. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that gender and attitudes toward science influenced student perceptions of the activities. Positive science attitudes predicted positive perceptions of the activities, and female students were more likely to report positive perceptions. These results suggest that as a pedagogical framework for organizing learning activities, storytelling holds potential for promoting positive attitudes toward science and science learning, particularly with female learners.

Summary The homeopathic medicinal product Cedrus libani featured unexpected therapeutic properties during a multicentre pathogenetic trial performed in 2016, concerning the treatment of vascular congestion in the upper part of the body for patients with a specific psychological profile. The important symbolism linked to this tree, involved in the three main monotheistic religions expressed itself in the experimenters’ testimonies and in the clinical pictures of the few cured cases. The study of the botany and of the myths regarding the tree gives us an insight into the richness of this medicine, before further clinical practices confirm its indications.

Objectives Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc. is the dry infructescence of P. strobilacea, a Juglandaceae plant and is a traditional Chinese medicine with great development potential and utilization value. This study summarizes the research progress on the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, extraction methods, pharmacology and toxicology of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc., and provides potential therapeutic uses and drug development prospects for this plant. Key findings Phytochemical studies showed that this plant mainly contains volatile constituents, phenols, terpenoids and a carbohydrate. The pharmacological activity of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc. includes antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, anti-tumour effects and antioxidant effects. This plant is especially effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. Summary In this review, the phytochemistry and pharmacological effects of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et Zucc. are described in detail, which will have guiding significance for the future development of this drug.

Here, we present a brief introduction to sixteen full-text research articles of the Special Issue “Progress in Slovak Botany: a successful path to modern research on flora and vegetation” which are more-less a reflection of the current state of the study of botany in Slovakia. The papers bring results of classification and syntaxonomical revision of shrubs and forest vegetation, followed by research into vegetation diversity, ecology, and taxonomy. Special attention is paid to molecular methods in the research of plant taxa; one of the contributions evaluates the use of these methods in the study of population genetics of forest trees in Slovakia in the past 40 years. The other three papers use the knowledge of flow cytometry for a taxonomic study of selected representatives of the genera Tanacetum, Cotoneaster, Solanum and Nicotiana. A special issue also includes a new version of the checklist and a red list of hornworts and liverworts which updates data published 20 years ago. The checklist is followed by a paper on new localities and phylogenetic relationships of Leucoglossum leucosporum, a geoglossoid fungus whose occurrence is poorly known. The last two contributions are devoted to the impact of the environmental burdens on biota.

Genus Senna belongs to the family of Fabaceae and comprises of about 250–300 accepted species extensively dispersed in tropical and subtropical regions. The Senna species is widely used in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, some Senna species are well-known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities with basis in traditional medicine to treat diabetes, microbial infections, malaria fever and other ailments. This review was extensively prepared by a comprehensive assessment of available literature via major scientific catalogues. The genus contains important metabolites such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and volatile oils. The crude extracts and isolated metabolites from Senna displayed a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activities such as antidiabetic, anti-gonorrhea, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antipyretic, antinociceptive, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory functions displayed by the genus Senna. The objective of this review is to critically explore the advances in the botanical, phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological studies of the genus Senna, which will provide a useful bibliography for further investigations and applications in medicines. The review reveals that Senna species have been widely used for therapeutic purpose and substantial traditional evidence of their applications exist. Further studies should be tailored towards targeting active metabolites responsible for the pharmacological activities, structural elucidation and toxicological appraisals.

Exchange of duplicate specimens was an important element of the relationship between metropolitan and regional museums in the period 1870–1940. Evidence of transfers of botanical museum objects such as economic botany specimens is explored for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and six museums outside the capital: Cambridge University Botanical Museum, National Museum Wales, Glasgow Museums, Liverpool World Museum, Manchester Museum and Warrington Museum. Botany became an important element in these museums soon after their foundation, sometimes relying heavily on Kew material as in the case of Glasgow and Warrington, and usually with a strong element of economic botany (except in the case of Cambridge). Patterns of exchange depended on personal connections and rarely took the form of symmetrical relationships. Botanical displays declined in importance at various points between the 1920s and 1960s, and today only Warrington Museum has a botanical gallery open to the public. However, botanical objects are finding new roles in displays on subjects such as local history, history of collections, natural history and migration.

Stemonae Radix (dried roots of Stemona japonica (Bl.) Miq., Stemona sessilifolia (Miq.) Miq., and Stemona tuberosa Lour.), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is also known as “Baibu” (Chinese: 百部). Stemonae Radix has a wide range of pharmacological effects, mainly used to treat respiratory diseases and as an insecticide. In this review, with the help of both published materials (such as ancient and modern books, monographs on medicinal plants, and the pharmacopoeia of different countries) and electronic databases (such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), we have summarized the up-to-date research progress in botany, traditional application, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and quality control, and discussed the research prospects and development direction of Stemonae Radix and its origin plants. Up to now, more than 170 compounds were isolated and identified from the three official species of Stemonae Radix, mainly including Stemona alkaloids, Stemona stilbenoids and other components. This medicine has also exhibited pharmacological activities, including antitussive, antiviral, insecticidal, antitumor, antioxidant, and therapeutic effects on lung diseases. However, pharmacological reports most often attribute activities to various extracts, rather than specific compounds. This hampers the establishment of a connection between chemical constituents and pharmacological activities, resulting in a difficulty to identify the major active compounds. Therefore, in the future, it is necessary to design experiments to deeply understand the development and clinical use of Stemonae Radix.

Spanish naturalists established the Viceregal Botanical Garden of New Spain in Mexico City in 1788 to advance agriculture, manufacturing, and medicine. This colonial institution also served the ideological role of cultivating agents of empire. Rather than establish the garden in the already robust tradition of American botany, the Spanish appropriated this space, employing Creole students and servant workers to Europeanize local botanical knowledge through taxonomic colonialism. The different agendas at work in the botanical garden, which straddled the colonial and revolutionary periods in Mexico, destabilized not only this institution, but also the empire itself from the ground up. That the contributions of the agents of the garden have been forgotten is evidence of the fragility and failure of a European institution in the American colonial state.

On the basis of a diverse source base, the life and creative path of the well-known Ukrainian scientist-botanist, Professor Serhiy Olimpiyovych Ilyichevskyi, has been most fully reproduced for the first time. The list of the scientist's publications from 105 items has been arranged. His little-known publications and letters are given. The book is recommended to all fans of the history of biological science in Ukraine. На основі різнопланової джерельної бази вперше найбільш повно відтворено життєвий і творчий шлях знаного українського вченого?ботаніка, професора Сергія Олімпійовича Іллічевського. Упорядковано перелік публікацій ученого із 105 позицій. Наведено його маловідомі публікації, а також листи. Книга рекомендована всім шанувальникам історії біологічної науки в Україні. &nbsp

Noteworthy records of 11 alien plant species in Kyiv City and Kyiv Region made mainly in 2020 are discussed. In particular, new localities of the following taxa are reported: Amaranthus spinosus, Artemisia tournefortiana, Chenopodium ucrainicum, Celastrus orbiculatus, Datura innoxia, Dysphania ambrosioides, Erechtites hieraciifolius, Mesembryanthemum ×vascosilvae (M. cordifolium × M. haeckelianum; recently described as Aptenia ×vascosilvae and reported here for the first time for Ukraine; earlier this ornamental hybrid was misidentified as Aptenia cordifolia), Parietaria officinalis, Phytolacca americana, Thladiantha dubia. The presence in Ukraine of several additional species, such as Datura wrightii and Phytolacca acinosa s.l. (incl. P. esculenta), that may occur as escaped near places of their cultivation, is reported; these species may be confused with D. innoxia and P. americana, respectively. The growing role of alien plants escaped from cultivation (ergasiophytes) in the present-day processes of formation of the alien flora of Ukraine is emphasized.

This paper aims to extend and provide a new understanding of Adam Smith’s thoughts by focusing on some revisions in the 4th edition of The Theory of Moral Sentiments (Smith 1774), “the nutritional value theory of corn” in the Wealth of Nations, and then comparing Smith’s discourses on the formation of morality with C. Darwin’s. Smith’s understanding of human nature extended and deepened with the study of botany and other sciences at Kirkcaldy after spending 2 years in France as Duke Buccleugh’s tutor. He began to understand human nature not only as a composite of self-love and benevolence, but also of instinctual and experiential knowledge. Thus, Smith’s system transitioned to an evolutionary one, and he became an unconscious forerunner of the Darwinian theory of morality formation.

The term “Atlantic archipelago” was coined by an Antipodean historian, J. G. A. Pocock, whose country, New Zealand, consists of two main islands and a few smaller islands. It shares a significant r...

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The use of molecular methods in plant systematics and taxonomy has increased during the last decades; however, the accessibility of curated genetic samples and their metadata is a bottleneck for DNA-based genetic studies in botany. Plant biodiversity DNA banks and DNA-friendly collections could be critical suppliers of curated genetic material for researchers in the current context of plant biodiversity loss. Here, we aimed to understand the potential of plant DNA banks and DNA-friendly collections to enhance the growth and openness of scientific knowledge. The preservation of genetic material should become part of a natural collection's process for the generation of extended specimens enabling the preservation of both the phenotype and genotype and contributing to the generation of data networks which cross-fertilize other fields. These curated collections are advantageous in endangered species research, detecting processes related to extinction, giving a genetic dimension to IUCN assessments or completing the Leipzig Catalogue of Vascular Plants. Therefore, DNA collections are fundamental in producing FAIR data, responsible research and innovation (RRI) and meeting the goals of international conservation programmes. The completion of natural collections is important for current research efforts and furthermore vital to support future research in an era of ongoing plant biodiversity loss.

Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (LLF) is one of the usual Chinese herbs that has long been used with high therapeutic and condition value. LLF is used for the treatment of dizziness and tinnitus, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, premature greying of the hair, the darkness of the eyes, internal heat and thirst, bone steam and hot flashes and other symptoms.This review reviews botany, traditional uses, processing, phytochemistry, quality control, pharmacology, toxicity and pharmacokinetics to better understand its therapeutic potential.The literature on LLF was obtained from Google Scholar and Baidu Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WAN FANG DATA and libraries. Some local books, official websites, PhD or MS's dissertations were also included. Phytochemical constituents' structures were drawn by ChemDraw software.So far, Multiple chemical components were isolated and identified from LLF, mainly including terpenoids and flavonoids. Modern studies have shown that LLF extracts and compounds have a wide range of pharmacological effects, including antitumor, liver protection, blood glucose, lipid-lowering, immune regulation, and other aspects.LLF occupies an important position in the traditional medical system. It is cost-effective and is a significant plant with therapeutic applications in modern medicine. However, further in-depth studies are needed to determine the medical use of this plant and its chemical composition, pharmacological activity, quality control, toxicity and pharmacokinetics.

As a commonly used traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Erodii Herba Geranii Herba (Geranium wilfordii Maxim., Geranium carolinianum L. and Erodium stephanianum Willd.), which was known as Laoguancao (Chinese:), has high medicinal value. It has been used to dispel rheumatism, dredge the meridians, activate blood circulation, remove blood stasis, clear heat and detoxify, and stop diarrhea and dysentery. It's also used to treat eczema, sores, carbuncles, boils caused by accumulation of damp toxin.This review aimed to provide a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the current research progress in terms of the botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Erodii Herba Geranii Herba, and discuss expectations for prospective research and implementation about this herb.Information on Erodii Herba Geranii Herba was gathered via the Internet (using Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Pubmed, Elsevier, ACS, Medline Plus, CNKI and Web of Science) and libraries. Additionally, information was also obtained from local books and brilliant scholars in ethnopharmacology.More than isolated 240 chemical compounds were recorded, and main compositions are tannins, flavones, organic acids and volatile oil. The pharmacoactives of Erodii Herba Geranii Herba and its active constituents are diverse, including antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, liver and kidney protection, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, other activities. Among them, the antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiarrheal and other pharmacological activities of it are consistent with traditional applications.All kinds of research conducted on Erodii Herba Geranii Herba, especially in field of ethnopharmacological use, phytochemicals and pharmacology have been reviewed. There are plenty of active compounds with varied effects in Erodii Herba Geranii Herba. However, some traditional applications and pharmacological activities of Erodii Herba Geranii Herba have not been scientifically evaluated or convincing due to incomplete methods and ambiguous results, as well as the lack of clinical data. In order to verify the pharmacological activity, clinical efficacy and safety of it, a systematic and comprehensive research evaluation is also required. As an important traditional Chinese medicine, Erodii Herba Geranii Herba should be further explored to promote the development of new drugs and therapeutics for various diseases. How to make better use of it should be paid more attention to.

Nepeta tenuifolia (N. tenuifolia) is a common aromatic herb that is widespread in East Asia. The aerial parts and spikes can be used as the traditional phytomedicines for the treatment of cold, fever, respiratory diseases, and skin diseases in the clinic and as a vegetable in salads or cooked foods. These applications have lasted for thousands of years due to their outstanding performance. In this review, with the help of PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and CNKI, we have summarized the research achievements made in recent years on the various aspects of N. tenuifolia, covering botany, traditional uses, processing, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmaceutics. A total of 102 phytochemicals have been found and identified in N. tenuifolia, which were grouped into terpenoids, flavonoids, organic acids and other components, including many bioactive compounds such as pulegone, hesperidin, and rosmarinic acid. This plant has also exhibited antiviral, immunoregulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and miscellaneous bioactivities, including antitumour, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antithrombus activities. The progress to date has provided basic and strong evidence to support the traditional uses of this herbal medicine. However, the present explanations seem insufficient and unsatisfactory, in term of the relationships between the traditional uses and the modern pharmacological actions, the action mechanisms and the material basis. Therefore, in the future, some comprehensive studies should be well designed for further understanding the development and utilization of N. tenuifolia.

Eremurus persicus (Jaub. & Spach) Boiss. commonly known as "Serish" is a valuable ornamental plant with culinary uses and also utilized in traditional medicine for treating Gastrointestinal disease...

Fragments of botanical material can often be found at crime scenes (on live and dead bodies, or on incriminating objects) and can provide circumstantial evidence on various aspects of forensic investigations such as determining crime scene locations, times of death or possession of illegal species. Morphological and genetic analysis are the most commonly applied methods to analyze plant fragment evidence but are limited by their low capacity to differentiate between potential source locations, especially at local scales. Here, we review the current applications and limitations of current plant fragment analysis for forensic investigations and introduce the potential of microbiome analysis to complement the existing forensic plant fragment analysis toolkit. The potential for plant fragment provenance identification at geographic scales meaningful to forensic investigations warrants further investigation of the phyllosphere microbiome in this context. To that end we identify three key areas of future research: 1) Retrieval of microbial DNA of sufficient quality and quantity from botanical material; 2) Variability of the phyllosphere microbiome at different taxonomic and spatial scales, with explicit reference to assignment capacity; 3) Impacts on assignment capacity of time, seasonality and movement of fragments between locations. The development of robust microbiome analysis tools for forensic purposes in botanical material could increase the evidentiary value of the botanical evidence commonly encountered in casework, aiding in the identification of crime scene locations.

Casearia tomentosa is a member of the Salicaceae family, which is also known as Chilla. Different portions of Casearia tomentosa have traditionally been used to treat ulcers, dropsy, fissures, malarial fever, tonsillitis pain, wounds, and plaster. This plant's extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, protein, steroids, phytosterol, terpenoids, lipids, and oils. The leaves have been shown to be a natural source of antioxidants, antidiabetic, and antibacterial properties. The available information was gathered from scientific databases using a keyword search in "Google Scholar," "Pub med," "Science direct," "Springer Link," "Wiley" and "Sci finder". Moreover, books were recommended for plant data and synthetic structure. Nonetheless, pharmacological information is very restricted. Subsequently, the point of this review is to give an extensive information of the botany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Casearia tomentosa and to feature the holes in our insight for future exploration openings.

Sonic botany is an ongoing project that I have been developing over the past few years. It incorporates natural artefacts: dry leaves, pods, flowers, branches, rocks, bones and other organic findings. These are used as musical instruments that are played on with a scientific/musical tool: tuning forks in various frequencies. The vibration from the tuning forks resonates through the natural artefacts which amplify the vibration and – via sound – reveal the texture, size, material and condition of the organic matter. This process generates new sonic material, new context and new forms of musical composition. The practice developed into several compositions and projects, a performance practice, a notation system and a way of listening. Here I share some of the insights I gained through this process, the tools and the compositional framework.

Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam, popularly known as black Mangroves, is an economical and valuable medicinal plant that is commonly found in relatively distinct zones, which are controlled by factors such as salinity, tidal regime, soil type and seed predators.This study is aimed at reviewing the botany, nutritional and medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of B. gymnorhiza. A comprehensive literature search was done using electronic databases including journal articles, books, theses, scientific reports and internet sources.The most widespread direct use of B. gymnorhiza is for wood and other uses include food, medicines, dyes and environmental services. Different compounds such as β-sitosterol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, ursolic acid, stigmasterol, lupeol, taraxerol, bruguierol, oleanolic acid, gymnorhizol, bruguiesulfurol, isobrugierol and ellagic acid have been isolated from B. gymnorhiza. The leaves, dried roots,stem and barks of B. gymnorhiza have shown the presence of flavonoids, phenols, hydroquinones, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, gums, reducing sugars,phenolic compounds, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids and glycosides.These compounds are sterols and have shown high anti-inflammatory activity, antidiabetic, antioxidant and angiogenic effects, inducing apoptosis, hypocholesterolemic activity, anthelminthic and antimutagenic activities. B. gymnorhiza plant extract contains chemical constituents of pharmacological importance, which can play a significant role in the production of pharmaceutical products for future use.

Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don, popularly known as the African locust bean tree, is a perennial tree legume that belongs to Mimosoïdeae sub-family and family of Fabaceae. This study is aimed at reviewing the botany, nutritional uses, phytochemical and pharmacological properties of P. biglobosa and the information was undertaken using electronic databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Science Direct, Web of Science, Pubmed, SciFinder, BMC and Open-thesis. Parkia biglobosa is a very important multipurpose tree that is used essentially for food, medicinal, cultural, economic and magico-therapeutic purposes. Due to its socio-economic and cultural importance, P. biglobosa species are vulnerable to unsustainable harvesting and are declining in numbers because they remain semi- or undomesticated in some west Africa countries. Different aqueous and organic extracts of P. biglobosa indicate that the species are rich in saponins, tannins, flavonoids, resins, carbohydrates, terpenoids, phenols, sterols, and cardiac glycosides. The nutritional and pharmacological benefits of P. biglobosa has been associated with its physicochemical properties. Pharmacological studies on P. biglobosa exhibited antimalarial, anti-helminthic, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-trypanosomic activities and antioxidant properties. Threats to the survival of this multipurpose species are also highlighted.

Ilex rotunda Thunb. (I. rotunda) is an Ilex species of Aquifoliaceae, widely distributed in East Asia. Its dried bark is commonly used as a medicinal part in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), named Ilicis Rotundae Cortex. This medicinal plant is commonly used for clearing heat and removing toxin, draining dampness and relieving pain in TCM to treat tonsillitis, acute gastroenteritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, rheumatism, traumatic injury, and so on. It also has significant development value on lipid-lowering, hepatoprotection and anti-inflammation, but the potential mechanism needs to be further explored.More and more medicinal substances are being discovered in I. rotunda with multiple biological activities, which help to advance the ethno-pharmacological research in I. rotunda. However, to date there is a lack of a systematic summary of research progress on I. rotunda. This review aims to provide a critical summary of the current studies on I. rotunda. The progress in research on botany, phytochemistry, traditional uses, pharmacology, toxicology, quality control and pharmacokinetics of the plant is discussed. It hopes to provide useful references and guidance for the future directions of research on I. rotunda.Studies of I. rotunda were collected via Google Scholar and Baidu Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG DATA and libraries. Some local books, official websites, PhD or MS's dissertations were also included. The literature cited in this review covered the period from 1956 to January 2022.Analysis of the literature indicates that I. rotunda is a potentially valuable herbal medicine for the therapeutic of various diseases. To date, 120 compounds were found and identified in I. rotunda, mainly including triterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, etc. Modern pharmacological studies also found that the plant has the activities of protecting the cardiovascular system, lowering lipids and protecting the liver, as well as being an anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antibacterial.This review summarizes the results from current studies of I. rotunda. However, the current explanation seems insufficient and unsatisfactory, in terms of the relationships between the traditional uses and the modern pharmacological activities, the mechanisms and the material basis. Thus, a critical and comprehensive evaluation is necessary to explore its future research prospects and development direction.

Pyrolae herba is the dried whole plant of Pyrola calliantha H. Andres or Pyrola decorata H. Andres (Pyrolaceae). Pyrolae herba has a long history of medicinal use in China. In ancient times, it was often used to treat pain in tendons and bones, swollen sore, cough, expectoration, bleeding, and other diseases. and was commonly used in ancient times to treat pain in the tendons and bones, swollen sore, cough, expectoration, bleeding and other diseases.This paper summarizes the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, quality control and toxicology of Pyrolae herba, with a view to providing reference for further development and research.The relevant information on Pyrolae herba was collected from the scientific databases including PubMed, CNKI, ScienceDirect, Wiley, Springer, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China and Flora Republicae Popularis Sinicae, etc. RESULTS: At present, more than 70 compounds have been identified from Pyrolae herba, including flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, quinones, terpenoids, volatile oils and other compounds. Pharmacological studies have shown that Pyrolae herba has a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, reducing blood lipids, protective on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, promoting osteoblast proliferation, and so on. It is used clinically in modern times to treat rheumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bone hyperplasia, sciatica, cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, acute and chronic bronchitis, mammary gland hyperplasia, tumor, hypertension, coronary heart disease and bleeding diseases.Pyrolae herba is rich in chemical constituents, diverse in pharmacological activities and abundant in resources, which is widely used in clinics from traditional to modern. However, there is a lack of research on the relationship between chemical constituents and pharmacodynamics of Pyrolae herba. In addition, the existing clinical applications suggest that Pyrolae herba has a certain therapeutic potential in the treatment of hemorrhagic diseases, but there is a lack of information on experimental studies. It is worthwhile to further investigate the Pyrolae herba in depth in the hope of making discoveries and breakthroughs.

Objectives Crataegus pinnatifida (C. pinnatifida), including C. pinnatifida Bge. and its variant C. pinnatifida Bge. var. major N, E. Br., has traditionally been used as a homologous plant for traditional medicine and food in ethnic medical systems in China. Crataegus pinnatifida, especially its fruit, has been used for more than 2000 years to treat indigestion, stagnation of meat, hyperlipidemia, blood stasis, heart tingling, sores, etc. This review aimed to provide a systematic summary on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical applications of C. pinnatifida. Key findings This plant contains flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, terpenoids, organic acids, saccharides and essential oils. Experimental studies showed that it has hypolipidemic, antimyocardial, anti-ischemia, antithrombotic, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic neuroprotective activity, etc. Importantly, it has good effects in treating diseases of the digestive system and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. Summary There is convincing evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies supporting the traditional uses of C. pinnatifida. However, multitarget network pharmacology and molecular docking technology should be used to study the interaction between the active ingredients and targets of C. pinnatifida. Furthermore, exploring the synergy of C. pinnatifida with other Chinese medicines to provide new understanding of complex diseases may be a promising strategy.

The article shows the possibility of living collection of Polypodiopsidaspecies as a visual aid for the 6th grade schoolchildren studying the topic of ferns. A brief overview of the Polypodiopsida collection in Botanical Garden of Samara National Research University is provided. The main skills that pupils develop during the excursion are discussed.

Delphinium denudatum Wall (DD), commonly known as Jadwar in India, is an essential plant of the Unani system of medicine. In Unani medicine, Jadwar is considered an antidote to poisons, refrigerant, nerve tonic, cardiotonic, demulcent, lithotriptic, diuretic, and antipyretic. It is beneficial in the treatment of fungal infections, paralysis, facial palsy, epilepsy, infantile convulsions, migraine, mania, hysteria, numbness, tremors, cholera, jaundice, cardiac diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, toothache, aconite poisoning, snake bite, scorpion sting and all kinds of pain. Many bioactive constituents are isolated from DD, including flavonoids, triterpenoids, alkaloids, including delphocurarine, staphisagrine, delphine, condelphine, denudatin, delnudine, delnuline, vilmorri anonymouse, vilmorrianone, a diterpenoid alkaloid. The scientific analysis of Jadwar demonstrates many of the activities mentioned in Unani literature. Nevertheless, further research is needed to identify the mechanism, active constituent, and usefulness of Jadwar in clinical practice. Given the encouraging results against neurological disorders in the prefaces, this aspect should be thoroughly investigated to make it a standard medicine.

Hoja santa (Piper auritum) refers to an important presence in Mexican cuisine. The information of this review article was gathered from several electronic sources such as Scopus, Medline, Scielo, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Lilacs. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of benzoic acid derivatives, phenylpropanoids and triterpenoids, while the essential oils have shown its richness in safrole, hence it has several activities, such as antioxidant, toxicity, insecticidal, anti-diabetic and cytotoxic properties. This review is expected to draw the attention of medical professionals and the general public towards P. auritum as well as to open the door for detailed research in the future.