Search

Background Essential oils (EOs) have remained in the limelight of the scientific community due their versatility coupled with consumers increasing demand for natural, safe and effective health products. Besides, their applications in the food, pharmaceutical, agricultural and textile industries amongst others have consolidated their popularity. Scope and approach EOs are rich sources of pharmacologically active phytoconstituents which justifies their health and industrial applications. Despite their wide applications, their low aqueous solubility, high volatility and sensitivity to light, temperature and oxygen compromise the exploration of their abounding benefits. Hence, this paper focuses on disseminating the chemistry, pharmacology, modes of action as well as the applications of EOs in various industries. Additionally, it focuses on the factors affecting their yield and composition as well as novel methods (micro-/nano-technology) that can be employed to optimize or potentiate their effects. Key findings and conclusions: The pharmacological properties (anti: microbial; oxidant; hyperpigmentation; diabetic; viral; and cancer properties as well as the cardio-, hepato- and neuro-protective effects) of EOs have been validated through various studies and their corresponding mechanisms of action have been reported in this paper. Notably, their antimicrobial and antioxidant attributes have enabled their exploration in active packagings whereby they extend the shelf-life alongside maintaining food quality. On the other hand, their encapsulation in nanodelivery sytems allows to target and modulate their release, thereby enhancing their pharmacological potentials for biomedical applications. In addition to imparting fragrance, they serve as antimicrobials in fabrics in textile industry, while their biocidal effects makes them effective eco-friendly pesticides for agricultural uses.

This study was geared towards assessing the possible antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and cytotoxic activities of ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of Sideritis ozturkii Aytac & Aksoy. The phytochemical profiles of the studied extracts were characterised by HPLC-MS/MS. The methanol extract, rich in phenolics (78.04 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), exhibited the strongest antioxidant activities. However, the ethyl acetate extract was the most active extract in the enzyme inhibitory assays. The water extract of S. ozturkii (1 mg/ml, 48 h incubation) slightly inhibited (22%) growth of human breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231 cells). On the other hand, the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed strong inhibition (98% and 97%, respectively) of MDA-MB-231 cells and caused apoptotic cell death. Scientific data generated from this study further appraises the multiple biological activities of plants belonging to the Sideritis genus. In addition, preliminary evidence gathered from the current investigation advocates for further studies geared towards the preparation of therapeutic formulations from S. ozturkii.

Despite the significant advances in screening methods for early diagnosis, breast cancer remains a global threat and continues to be the leading cancer diagnosed in women, requiring effective therapy. Currently, combination therapy has become the hallmark of breast cancer treatment due to the high incidence of tumor recurrence and disease progression after monotherapeutic treatments, including surgery, radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, and chemotherapy. Over the past decades, there has been considerable interest in studying the anticancer effect of bioactive phytochemicals from medicinal plants combined with these conventional therapies. The rationale for this type of therapy is to use combinations of drugs that work by different mechanisms, thereby decreasing the likelihood that cancer cells will develop resistance, and also reduce the therapeutic dose and toxicity of single treatments. Three agents have received great attention with regard to their anticancer properties: 1) piperine, a dietary phytochemical isolated from black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) and long pepper (Piper longum L.); 2) sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate mainly derived from cruciferous vegetables; and 3) thymoquinone, the active compound from black seed (Nigella sativa L.). This review focused on the combined effect of these 3 compounds on conventional cancer therapy with the objective of observing enhanced efficacy compared with single treatments. This review also highlights the importance of the nanoformulation of such bioactive phytochemicals that could enhance their bioavailability by providing an efficient targeted delivery system with a reduced systemic dose while resulting in a more efficient dosing at the target site.

Ethnoveterinary medicine refers to the beliefs, knowledge, methods, practices and techniques used in the promotion of healthcare and well-being for animals. Since the 1940s, antibiotics were fed to livestock animals to boost their productivity by growing them bigger faster and at a cheaper price. Nonetheless, over the years many antibiotics which were once used successfully to attenuate or kill disease-causing microorganisms have now become inefficacious. Additionally, the number of antibiotic leads and novel antibiotics proposed by pharmaceutical companies has stalled considerably. Hence, there is an urgent need to provide newer classes of antibiotics or to derive modern strategies to combat disease-causing microorganisms. This chapter mentions 275 plant species used in different countries around the world to treat infectious ailments in animals. Plants listed in this chapter provide an indication of medicinal plants used in parts of Africa such as in South Africa and Uganda; in Asia such as in India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Pakistan; as well as in other countries such as Brazil and Iran. Interestingly, the results of in vitro studies provide valuable insights with respect to the antimicrobial properties of plants used in traditional medicinal systems over the world. These results can unlock diverse avenues for screening novel compounds, leads or even plant extracts that can be successfully developed as antimicrobial agents.

Salvia sclarea L. is traditionally used to manage common human ailments and is consumed as a food product. This study aimed to establish the phytochemical profile and antioxidant potential of ethyl acetate, methanol, and water extracts of Salvia sclarea. The inhibitory action of the extracts against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase was also investigated. Methanol extract showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents (81.78 mg GAE/g extract and 40.59 mg RE/g extract, respectively). Reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector analysis revealed that S. sclarea was rich in rosmarinic acid. The water extract exhibited the lowest inhibitory activity against α-amylase but the upmost activity against α-glucosidase (0.19 and 18.24 mmol ACAE/g extract, respectively). Experimental data showed that only the water extract (8.86 mg KAE/g extract) significantly inhibited tyrosinase. Docking studies showed that quercetin binds to tyrosinase by two hydrogen and a pi-pi bonds. Salvia sclarea showed interesting biological activity against key enzymes involved in the pathogenesis of common ailments.

Bidens tripartita L. is a traditional phyto-remedy used in several countries, yet there is still a paucity of data on its biological potential. We aimed to provide new insights on the pharmacological potential of extracts prepared from B. tripartita via highlighting its antioxidant, key enzymes inhibitory potency, and DNA protecting effects. Phytochemical profile was established using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) and bioactive compound(s) docked against target enzymes using in silica methods. Cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines was assessed using the methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell viability test. The main compounds were luteolin-7-glucoside (cynaroside), chlorogenic acid, and epicatechin in the extracts. The methanol extract exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity. Ethyl acetate extract showed strongest a-amylase inhibitory activity, while the best a-glucosidase inhibitory effect recorded for the methanol extract. Molecular docking showed that cynaroside strongly interact to a-glucosidase cavity by establishing six hydrogen bonds. B. tripartita extracts were found to protect supercoiled form of pUC19 plasmid (>70%) and also showed anti-proliferative properties. Results amassed in the present study add on to a growing body of literature on the multi-pharmacological potency of B. tripartita which can be applied to bio-products development geared towards management of common diseases.

In this study, Methanolic extracts of Euphorbia denticulata parts (flowers, leaf, stem, and mix of aerial parts) were assessed for a panoply of bioactivities. Inhibitory potential against key enzymes involved in diabetes (alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase), obesity (pancreatic lipase), neurodegenerative diseases (cholinesterases), and hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase) was evaluated. The antioxidant and antibacterial properties were also assessed. The total phenolic, flavonoid, and phytochemical profile were established using HPLC/DAD and molecular modelling studies on specific target compounds were performed in silico. The flower extract was found to be rich in phenolics and flavonoids, (60.11 +/- 1.40 mgGAE/g and 42.04 +/- 0.16 mgRE/g respectively), which tend to correlate with the high radical scavenging activity of this extract (120.34 +/- 3.33 mgTE/g and 165.42 +/- 2.16 mgTE/g for DPPH and ABTS respectively). Catechin, epicatechin, gallic acid, p-OH-Benzoic acid, rosmarinic acid, and epigallocatechin gallate, found in significant abundance in the extracts were assessed using molecular modelling with the aim to study their docking properties on a set of six enzymes used in this study. The extracts were moderately effective with MIC values ranging between 1.56 to 6.25 mg/ml, but potent growth inhibitors of MRSA strains. Results amassed herein can be used as a stimulus for further studies geared towards the development of novel phyto-pharmaceuticals. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

This study aimed to assess the antibacterial and antibiotic potentiating property of Vangueria madagascariensis (VM) (fruit and leaf extracts) against 10 clinical isolates. A microdilution broth susceptibility assay for bacteria was used for the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and associated with antibiotics to evaluate any synergistic effect. VM extracts were found to potentiate the activity of 3 conventional antibiotics. Chloramphenicol and Ciprofloxacin showed no activity against Acinetobacter spp. but when mixed with VM (in a ratio of 50% VM extracts: 30% antibiotic), showed potentiating effect. The methanolic fruit extract at lower concentration of Chloramphenicol (30%) gave better synergistic effect (MIC = 3.75 μg/mL) as compared to 50% (MIC = 12.5 μg/mL). With Gentamicin, no activity was detected with leaf decoction but other extracts (methanolic leaf/fruit extract and fruit decoction) showed enhancement (MIC- 0.47, 7.5 and 15 μg/mL respectively). Interestingly, Chloramphenicol showed no activity against MRSA, but when mixed with VM, produced low MICs (, Graphical abstract

Essential oil of Cannabis sativa L. is a valuable bio-product due to its versatility, particularly in terms of its commercial values and potential applications in medicine, cosmetics and bio-pesticide. In this study, the effect of different stages of plant growth on essential oil yield and composition of four hemp varieties, (two monoecious non-native (Fedora 17 and its progeny) and two dioecious native (Fars and Yazd) samples) were investigated. The plant materials, consist of foliage in vegetative stage, inflorescent of flower in flowering stage and inflorescent of seeds in seeding stage were subjected to hydro-distillation. The essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The oil yields varied from 0.40 % (Fedora17) to 0.65 % (Yazd). Interaction of cultivar and growth stage showed Fed17−2 at vegetative (0.86 %) and Fed17 at flowering stage (0.20 %), had the most and least oil content, respectively. Twenty-nine compounds were identified representing 81.9%–99.5% of the essential oils. The most abundant sesquiterpenes in the oils were E-caryophyllene (16.40 %–44.70 %), α-humulene (4.1 %–15.1 %) and Z-caryophyllene (2.4 %–10.7 %), while the major monoterpenes were (0.4–24.9 %), β-pinene (4.6–24.3 %) and 1,8-cineole (0.8 %–9.3 %) in all growth stages and cultivars. The ratio of sesquiterpenes to monoterpenes were found to decrease during the developing plants. In conclusion, there was no significant difference between mean oil yields of native and non-native samples, but non-native samples produced the highest oil yield in vegetative stage. E-caryophyllene was found at the highest percentage in the oils of non-native samples at vegetative stage. For all samples, the essential oils at vegetative stage contained much lower production of monoterpenes than flowering stage. In addition, to obtain the highest amount of β-pinene and 1,8-cineole, the flowering and seeding stages of hemp are recommended.

Infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance have become a public health issue of increasing magnitude. The discovery and development of new antimicrobial agents from herbal medicine to address this problem has attracted much attention and should be given high priority. This study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of essential oils (EOs) extracted from 10 common medicinal plants of Mauritius. Eighteen microorganisms (bacterial and fungal isolates) were used to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of the EOs as well as their ability to potentiate conventional antibiotics. The phytochemical profile was established using Gas chromatography–Mass spectrometry method. Antibacterial activities were recorded with low minimal inhibitory concentration for 4 of the EOs using the microbroth dilution assay. A synergistic effect of the EO of Citrus hystrix D.C., Citrus reticulate (Blanco) and Melaleuca quinquenervia S.T. Blake (Cav.) were observed against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) when combined with gentamicin. Fungicidal and fungistatic effects of the EOs were observed among all the fungi irrespective of the family except for Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Twenty eight major compounds were identified and predominantly composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons at a dose-content ranging from 0.68 to 88.58%. This study has provided key information on the antimicrobial property and phytochemical composition of some tropical medicinal plants. Hence, EOs studied in the present investigation may be considered as potential medicinal candidates that could be exploited as complementary and alternative therapies for the treatment and management of infectious diseases.

Aloe veragel (AVG) is traditionally used in the management of diabetes, obesity, and infectious diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory potential of AVG againstα-amylase,α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase activityin vitro. Enzyme kinetic studies using Michaelis-Menten (Km) and Lineweaver-Burk equations were used to establish the type of inhibition. The antioxidant capacity of AVG was evaluated for its ferric reducing power, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate scavenging ability, nitric oxide scavenging power, and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. The glucose entrapment ability, antimicrobial activity, and total phenolic, flavonoid, tannin, and anthocyanin content were also determined. AVG showed a significantly higher percentage inhibition (85.56±0.91) of pancreatic lipase compared to Orlistat. AVG was found to increase the Michaelis-Menten constant and decreased the maximal velocity (Vmax) of lipase, indicating mixed inhibition. AVG considerably inhibits glucose movement across dialysis tubes and was comparable to Arabic gum. AVG was ineffective against the tested microorganisms. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were66.06±1.14 (GAE)/mg and60.95±0.97 (RE)/mg, respectively. AVG also showed interesting antioxidant properties. The biological activity observed in this study tends to validate some of the traditional claims of AVG as a functional food.

Religious communities from Mauritius still rely on traditional therapies (TT) for primary healthcare. Nonetheless, there is still a dearth of scientific information on TT used by the different religious groups to manage diabetes and related complications (DRC). This study aimed to gather ethnomedicinal knowledge on TT used by the different religious groups against DRC. Diabetic patients (n=95) and traditional healers (n=5) were interviewed. Fifty-two plant species belonging to 33 families and 26 polyherbal formulations were documented to manage DRC. The most reported DRC was hypertension (n=36). Leaves (45.2%) and juice (36%) were the most cited mode of preparation of herbal recipes. Plants which scored high relative frequency of citation wereCitrus aurantifolia(0.55) andMorinda citrifolia(0.54). The cultural importance index showed thatOcimum tenuiflorum,Cardiospermum halicacabum,Camellia sinensis,andOphiopogon japonicaswere the most culturally important plants among Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist community, respectively. Hindu and Muslim community showed the highest similarity of medicinal plants usage (Jaccard index = 95.8). Seven animal species distributed over 4 classes were recorded for the management of DRC. Plants and animals recorded as TT should be submitted to scientific studies to confirm safety and efficacy in clinical practice and to identify pharmacologically active metabolites.

Despite laudable advances in conventional medicine, respiratory tract diseases (RTD) induced morbidity and mortality continue to inflict a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Similarly, in the tropical island of Mauritius, 13,320 hospital admissions and 8.2% mortality rates were attributed to RTD solely in the year 2013. Consequently, the therapeutic benefits and relief experienced with traditional medicine (TM) against RTD by the local inhabitants cannot be underestimated. The present study aims to report and quantitatively determine the extent of utilization of plant based therapies and other miscellaneous TM preparations concocted against RTD over the island. Additionally, a similarity index was generated which is indicative of the extent of harmonisation of individual plant species against RTD when the uses mentioned in the study are compared to previous ethnobotanical studies.Data was compiled using a semi-structured questionnaire via face-to-face interviews with TM users and practitioners (n=384). Three quantitative ethnopharmacological indices (the use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF), and ethnobotanicity index (EI)) were calculated. We also calculated the similarity ratio, similarity percentage, new uses for each plant species and percentage of new use against RTD to compare primary data collected in the present study.Fifty five plants were documented to be in use against 18 RTD. The most used plant species belonged to the following taxa; Lamiaceae (9%), Fabaceae (7%) and Rutaceae (7%). Thirty two plants recorded in this study have been reported to be used against RTD in previous ethnobotanical studies, of which 22 of these plants have been attributed new uses against RTD based on the results of the present study. The remaining 23 plants species have been recorded for the first time to be used traditionally against RTD. Altogether, 81 different recipes were concocted from the medicinal plants and the most common route of administration was oral intake. Common methods of obtaining medicinal plants were from the wild, cultivation and as imported herbal products. Cough was the most common RTD managed by plant species. The largest proportion of plants were employed against cold. The preference ranking both for UV placed Curcuma longa L., Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Citrus×limonia Osbeck and Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf as the most useful plant species. Only a small proportion of the indigenous plants (7.73%) proved to be useful in TM.This study provides empirical primary ethnopharmacological data on the use of TM to manage and/or treat RTD and can contribute in preserving indigenous knowledge in Mauritius. It is anticipated that these primary data will open new avenues to identify novel drugs that can help to alleviate sufferings.

Capparis spinosa L. (caper), is a traditionally used medicinal plant and widely studied for its biological properties. We aimed for the first time to compare the biological and phenolic fingerprints of C. spinosa buds, collected from Morocco, Turkey, and Italy. Phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and essential oils were profiled by chromatographic techniques. Enzymes inhibitory activities of different extracts were tested by spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated by different assays including free radical scavenging, reducing power, metal chelating and phosphomolybdenum. Moroccan sample showed the highest phenolic content across all extraction types followed by Italian and Turkish. Rutin was detected as main compounds in the extracts and the Italian decoction extract had highest rutin content. Moroccan samples exhibited the highest activity in microwave and Soxhlet extracts. The highest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity was observed in Turkish Soxhlet and Moroccan samples. The best butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory effects were also detected in the Italian extracts. The predominant fatty acid was α-linoleic acid (C 18:3 ω3; 28.65%), observed from Turkish sample. n-Hexadecanoic acid was the main component in the essential oils (13.9%, 25.03%, and 36.67% for Italian, Turkish, and Moroccan samples, respectively). Our results strongly advocate that future formulation of C. spinosa as active ingredient should also take into account the geographical origins and extraction techniques.

Six wild species (S. alba, S. conoidea, S. dichotoma, S. italica, S. supina, and S. vulgaris) from the Silene genera were tested for potential anti-enzymatic (acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), butyryl cholinesterase (BChE), tyrosinase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase), antimicrobial (16 microbial strains), and antioxidant activity. An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry method was used for phytochemical determination. Quinic acid, malic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-coumaric acid, and hesperidin were common in the six Silene species. All extracts showed higher antibacterial effects compared to streptomycin and ampicillin (except S. dichotoma). Antifungal agents, bifonazole (MIC 0.10–0.20 mg/mL and MFC 0.20–0.30 mg/mL) and ketoconazole (MIC 0.15–2.30 mg/mL and MFC 0.20–3.50 mg/mL) showed lower activity than the investigated Silene species extracts. S. alba inhibited AChE (2.00 mg GALAE/g extract) and BChE (1.0 mg GALAE/g extract). The results showed metal chelating potential ranging from 12 to 19 mg EDTAE/g extract, with S. conoidea being the most active, and S. supina the least. S. dichotoma showed the highest reducing potential against both cupric (154 mg TE/g extract for CUPRAC) and ferric (102 mg TE/g extract for FRAP) ions. Overall, Silene species could be considered as emerging interesting functional foods and sources of nutraceuticals with applications in the management of different diseases.

Ballota macrodonta Boiss. et Balansa., is a traditionally used endemic medicinal plant used to manage a plethora of diseases in Turkey. Nonetheless, few studies have endeavoured to highlight its therapeutic potential and its phytochemical profile. We hypothesized that B. macrodonta would possess multi-pharmacological propensities and bioactive compounds that would justify its use as a folk remedy. Aerial part of B. macrodonta was assessed for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzymatic inhibitory potential using different extraction solvents. The total bioactive components determination and compound identification using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD) method were used to correlate the biological properties. HPLC-DAD profile showed the presence of 19 components (e.g. hydroxybenzoic acid, catechin hydrate, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, epicatechin, coumaric acid, ferulic acid, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, rutin, and quercetin). The water and methanolic extracts showed high total phenolic and flavonoid contents, respectively. The overall antioxidant capacity of the water extract was higher than the one of the methanol extract. The extracts showed inhibitory activity against cholinesterases, tyrosinase, α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The extracts also presented antimicrobial activity against eight Gram positive/negative bacteria (MIC – 0.05–0.15 mg/mL) and eight fungi (MIC – 0.0125–0.20 mg/mL). The presence of active biomolecules with multi-pharmacological properties makes B. macrodonta a potential source of health-promoting compounds that can be exploited as a novel medicinal herbal product.

WOS:000433052800004, Prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and hyperpigmentationusing medicinal plants has attracted increasing attention during the past few decades. In this study, Colutea cilicicaBoiss. & Balansa extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol, and water) were evaluated against key enzymes involved in neurodegenerativediseases, diabetes, and hyperpigmentation. The antioxidant (free radical scavenging, reducing power, ?-carotene/linoleic acid, and phosphomolybdenum) and metal chelation properties were also investigated. The methanol extracts of C.cilicica vigorously inhibited the activities of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (1.33 and 0.68 mg galantamineequivalents (GALAE)/g extract, respectively). It was observed that C. cilicica extracts possessed a higher inhibitory potentialfor ?-glucosidase (2.71–1.23 mmol acarbose equivalents (ACAE)/g extract) than that for ?-amylase (0.57–0.12 mmol ACAE/gextract). The water extract of C. cilicica showed potent radical scavenging capacity against DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl)and ABTS (2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (42.46 and 57.70 mg trolox equivalents (TE)/g extract,respectively). Phytochemical determination showed that C. cilicica water extract (17.26 mg rutin equivalents (RE)/g extract)was rich in flavonoids compared with ethyl acetate and methanol extracts (2.78 and 2.83 mg RE/g extract, for the respectiveextracts). These findings reveal the interesting potential of C. cilicica as a valuable source of phytochemicals that can be usedagainst common noncommunicable diseases, particularly against enzymes involved in neurodegenerative diseases.

The use of medicinal food plants (MFP) as herbal remedies is currently undergoing a renewed interest, with increased sales, consumer preference and regulatory interest. Mauritius is a multi-cultural island with a long-standing tradition in the use of herbal remedies. This study has endeavoured to evaluate the consumption pattern, culinary and medicinal uses, attitude and perceptions of Mauritians towards seven common MFP ( Amaranthus hybridus (amaranth), Aloe vera (aloe), Momordica charantia (bitter-melon), Lagenaria siceraria (bottle-gourd), Moringa oleifera (drumstick/leaves), Artocarpus altilis (breadfruit) and Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit)) with the aim of identifying significant influential factors (if any) which shape attitudes of Mauritians. Questionnaire-guided face to face interviews were performed ( n = 384; age ≥ 30 years). Preliminary analyses, descriptive statistics and inferential tests (ANOVA, t -tests and χ 2 test) were applied. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices (use value (UV), fidelity level (FL) and informant consensus factor (ICF)) were used to assess the medicinal importance of the MFP. There was a general consensus that MFP were known for their medicinal role. Taste was a significant ( p p p p

Representatives of the Achillea genus are widely used as foods or nutraceuticals. Considering the increasing demand for herbal dietary supplements with health promoting effects, the objective of this research was to evaluate the biological and chemical profiles of different extracts (ethyl acetate, methanol and water) obtained from three Achillea species (A. biebersteinii, A. millefolium and A. teretifolia). The antioxidant (free radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), reducing power (CUPRAC and FRAP), metal chelating and phosphomolybdenum), enzyme inhibitory (anti-cholinesterase, anti-tyrosinase, anti-amylase and anti-glucosidase) and antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) effects were assessed to investigate their biological profiles. Moreover, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined and LC-MS analysis was performed for the chemical profile of the investigated extracts. The LC-MS analysis revealed the presence of several caffeoylquinic acids in these extracts. Generally, the methanol and water extracts exhibited stronger antioxidant abilities, which correlated with the higher levels of phenolic compounds when compared to the ethyl acetate extracts. In addition, the best antimicrobial activities were obtained for the ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts. However, the ethyl acetate extract had remarkable enzyme inhibitory potential. On the basis of our results, Achillea species may be promoted as promising sources of natural agents and used for the development of nutraceuticals or functional food ingredients.

WOS: 000424315700055, PubMed: 29169111, The Centaurea genus has great potential in traditional systems and has attracted much interest in the design of novel drug formulations. The present study was focused on the chemical fingerprints and biological properties of Centaurea drabifolia subsp. drabifolia and Centaurea lycopifolia extracts. Spectrophotometri c and LC-MS techniques were used to establish the chemical profiles of the studied extracts. Enzyme inhibitory potential was assessed against key enzymes linked to global health problems, namely neurodegenerative diseases (acetylcholinesterase), pigmentation (tyrosinase), and diabetes (alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase). The antimicrobial propensities of the extract were evaluated against 16 bacterial and fungal strains using the microdilution method. The antioxidant abilities were assessed using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging, ferric, and cupric reducing powers, phosphomolybdenum, and ferrous metal chelation. The total phenolic compounds varied from 18.33 to 32.84 nigGAE/gextract.Total flavonoid content of the extracts were in the range of 2.88-22.39 mgRE/g extract. Methanol and water extracts showed stronger antioxidant abilities compared to the ethyl acetate extracts. However, the latter extracts were most efficient towards the target enzymes (except for tyrosinase). The water extracts also exerted considerable antimicrobial effects. Findings from the present work tend to support the idea that C. drabifolia subsp. drabifolia and C lycopifolia may be utilized as effective bio-resources for designing novel health promoting products or ingredients. It is anticipated that results amassed from this still will open new avenues for research and contribute towards establishing primary data on these species for designing novel phytopharmaceuticals. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved., Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development [173032], The authors are grateful to Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development for financial support (grant number 173032).

Ethnopharmacological relevance There is currently a dearth of documentation on the use of animal-based therapies (ABT) in Mauritius. This study was therefore designed to gather primary folk knowledge on the different ABT used by Mauritians. Failure to document such knowledge can results in losses in both the use of such remedies and in the scientific documentation of the cultural traditions of animals used in the treatment and/or management of human diseases. The aim of the study is to collect, analyze, document and disseminate ABT from the tropical island of Mauritius used against common human ailments. Methods Data was collected following interviews from key informants ( n =126) and reported diseases and health complications were classified in 14 categories. Eight quantitative indexes such as informant consensus factor (FIC), fidelity level (FL), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI), cultural importance index (CII), index of agreement on remedies (IAR), cultural agreement index (CAI) and ethnofaunistic index (EFI) were used to analyze the reported animal species. Results A total of 31 animal species belonging to 12 taxonomic groups were documented to be used in traditional medicine by Mauritians. ABT were prepared from whole animals or their body parts or products extracted from them such as: butter, meat, milk, bones, horn, musk, skin, fin, honey, mucus, eggs and legs. The most encountered taxonomic group was Actinopterygii (7 species). According to EFI, 3.34% of the indigenous fauna in Mauritius were used in the treatment and/or management of different ailments. The highest FIC value (0.98) was cited for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic disorders which included diabetes and gangrene. Rattus rattus scored the highest FL (100%) for the ailment category injury and poisons of external cause; Bos taurus had the highest RI value (2.00) due to its versatility, had the highest frequency of citation (RFC=0.49), the highest cultural importance (CII=0.84) and the highest CAI value (0.77). According to IAR, Salmo salar (IAR=1.00) had the highest agreement among the informants for being used for the same medicinal purpose. Furthermore, no side effects have been reported from the use of ABT. Conclusions Our study revealed that Mauritians possesses valuable knowledge on a plethora of ABT. It is believed that the present documentation will serve to record this vanishing knowledge before it is eroded completely from the island and to the scientific community. It is also anticipated that the present documentation will be fundamental to protect traditional knowledge, for the conservation and sustainable use of the rich biodiversity of Mauritius for future generations and to ensure Mauritius׳s sovereign rights over its genetic resources and utilization by first documenting them. In addition, further experimental investigations are required to elucidate the pharmacological properties of the reported medicinal fauna of Mauritius

Notoriously, the tropical island of Mauritius has one of the highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide and the economic burden associated with it is alarming. The use of native remedies (NRs) is well anchored in the local culture and it continues to be the cornerstone of therapy for diabetic patients. However, there is currently a dearth of updated primary data on NRs used by Mauritians against diabetes and diabetes related complications (DRCs). This study was therefore designed to record, analyze and document orally transmitted ethnopharmacological knowledge from diabetic patients and traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) in Mauritius concerning NRs commonly used against diabetes and DRCs which might open new avenues to initiate novel antidiabetic drugs discovery.Data was collected following interviews from diabetic patients (n=328) and TMPs (n=20). Eleven quantitative indexes, namely informant consensus factor (FIC), fidelity level (FL), use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC), relative importance (RI), cultural importance index (CII), index of agreement on remedies (IAR), cultural agreement index (CAI), quality use value (QUV), quality use agreement value (QUAV) and ethnobotanicity index (EI) were calculated. Statistical analysis such as Pearson correlation and Chi-squared test were performed to determine any association.A total of 111 plant species distributed over 56 families, 30 polyherbal formulations and 16 animal species were documented to be traditionally used against diabetes and DRCs. For the first time 8 endemic plants have been recorded to be used against diabetes and DRCs from Mauritius. The most encountered medicinal plant family was Asteraceae. According to the EI, 16.2% of the native plants in Mauritius were used against diabetes and DRCs. As far as we know, Vangueria madagascariensis, Apium graveolens, Petroselinum crispum and Rubus alceifolius with high RFC values are recorded against diabetes and DRCs for the first time. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, income, religious belief, education and residence) were found to significantly (p0.05) influence the use of NRs. The average FIC for all ailments for plant and animal products were 0.94 and 0.87 respectively. Bryophyllum pinnatum, a native plant to Mauritius scored a high FL value (100%) used against diabetic neuropathy, Allium sativum had the highest RI value (2.00) due to its versatility, Aloe vera had the highest RFC (0.61), the CII (0.640) and the highest CAI value (0.635), Psidium guajava had the highest QUAV (0.961) which indicates its high bioactivity and Allium cepa was reported as the most effective plant species (QUV=0.965). According to UV, the most important species was Morinda citrifolia (1.21). Panoply of animal products were reported whereby fish (39.7%) was recorded as the most utilised zootherapy and Salmo salar scored the highest FL (100%) for diabetes. Some animal species (n=14) not previously documented against diabetes and DRCs are reported in the present study.Our present investigation revealed that the use of NRs constitutes the common legacy of Mauritians and despite the penetration of allopathic medicine; NRs continue to play a crucial role in the primary health care system of Mauritius. To this effect, it is of uttermost importance to record this knowledge before it disappears. In addition, further experimental investigations are required to elucidate the pharmacological properties of the reported medicinal flora and fauna of Mauritius.

The incidence of neurodegenerative diseases is rising due to rapidly aging population around the world and it is estimated that by 2040 they would surpass cancer as the principal cause of death in industrialized countries. Neurodegenerative diseases are relentlessly progressive disorders of the central nervous system characterized by cognitive, motor and/or behavioral dysfunctions. These diseases include Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD) as most common ones and less commonly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and vascular dementia. Despite tremendous advances in the understanding of these diseases, pharmacological treatment by conventional medicine has not obtained satisfactory results. For instance, pharmacological therapies for AD such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and for PD such as Levodopa are merely symptomatic. This coupled with the fact that they exhibit various side effects have led to the use of complementary and alternative medicine for the management of AD and PD. This review attempts to explore some of the most commonly used complementary and alternative medicine against AD and PD

Indigenous Mauritians from diverse cultures use herbal medicines (HMs) against various diseases. Nonetheless, currently there is no updated ethnobotanical documentation concerning the HMs being used for the treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cardiovascular, hypertension and gastrointestinal diseases (to mention a few). The study was therefore geared towards identifying different HMs frequently used by Mauritians, and to establish association(s), if any, with common demographic factors. Demographic characteristics of participants ( n = 334), different HMs used against NCDs, information concerning specific plants (vernacular names, utilised parts, preparation methods and side effects) were recorded systematically via a standardised questionnaire. The relative importance values of the plant species were determined via quantitative ethnobotanical indices such as informant consensus factor (FIC), use value (UV) and fidelity level (FL). Significant associations were found between age, educational level, income group and the use of natural remedies ( p Azadirachta indica , Pimpinella anisum L. and Momordica charantia were among the most used plants. Adverse effects like hypertension and gastrointestinal toxicity were also reported with the use of some plant species. In conclusion, therapeutic properties of some HMs correlated to some extent with that of previous studies while others have open potential perspectives for further research as their chemistry and pharmacology have not been published.

Ethnopharmacological relevance With a net turnover worth of £181 billion, the cosmetic industry is a leading worldwide business with a very lucrative future. Nonetheless, due to recent concerns regarding toxicity of synthetic cosmetics, herbal products have come into the limelight of cosmetology. The tropical island of Mauritius has a well-anchored diversity of indigenous plant species which are exploited for various purposes but no study has been designed to (i) quantitatively document, (ii) assess the effectiveness, and (iii) study the incidence of adverse effects and perception associated with the use of herbal products for cosmetic applications. Method Data was collected from herbal users via face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices (fidelity level (FL), variety of use (VU) and relative frequency of citation (RFC)) were calculated. Results Twenty five herbs belonging to 21 families were recorded in use for 29 different cosmetics applications. Many of the documented species represented well-known plants, although we also recorded a few plants being exploited for new cosmetic applications. Plants with the highest RFC were Curcuma longa L. (0.45), Lawsonia inermis L. (0.42) and Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (0.42). A total of 8 plants were reported to score 100% with respect to the FL. Interestingly, Lawsonia inermis L. being the highly cited plant species showed a clear dominance as a popular phytocosmetic and which has also been extensively documented for its pharmacological properties. Moreover, it was found that 25% of the respondents experienced adverse effects; with pruritus (11%) being the most reported condition. It was also observed that participants perceived herbs/herbal products to be free from adverse effects. Conclusion Most of the plants reported have been described in previous studies for their bioactive components which tend to justify their use as phytocosmetics. Further research should be geared to explore the potential of these plant products for the cosmetic industry.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Ayurvedic medicine (AM) is a legalised alternative traditional medical system in the multicultural tropical island of Mauritius. A panoply of Ayurvedic specialised shops/centres involved in the provision of Ayurvedic services hereafter termed as 'outlets’ operates in different regions of the island and is extensively exploited by a significant number of Mauritians. Nonetheless, there is currently no study geared towards studying the status of AM and profile of Ayurvedic outlets in Mauritius and there is undoubtedly a dearth of standardized regulatory framework governing the practice of AM in Mauritius. The present study attempts to study the profile of Ayurvedic outlets, sale, distribution, regulation and importation of AM in Mauritius. Aim of study To evaluate the characteristics profile of Ayurvedic shops/clinics/pharmacies/centres, to document common Ayurvedic products used in the treatment and management of diseases, and to analyse existing regulatory control of AM in Mauritius. Material and methods Ayurvedic outlets were identified using a random approach. Once permission granted, outlets were visited where face-to-face interviews with Ayurvedic practitioners/directors/dispensers were undertaken using a semi-structured questionnaire. The characteristics of the outlets with respect to the type of business registration, procurement and dispensing of products, registration and qualification of personnels employed amongst others were studied. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 was used to classify common AM dispensed to patients. Additionally, information was sought from local authorities pertaining to existing legislation governing the importation and regulation of AM in Mauritius. Results A total of 16 Ayurvedic outlets (‘pharmacies’ (n=3), clinics (n=2), shops (n=5) and centres (n=6)) was surveyed. Six outlets dispensed AM strictly on prescription only after consultation with an onsite full-time employed registered Ayurvedic practitioner. Seven outlets offered AM both on prescription and over-the-counter where consultation was not mandatory. The remaining three outlets, where no Ayurvedic practitioner was employed, did not offer consultation at any time and dispensed the medicines over-the-counter most of the time. There is currently no such legal framework that acknowledges the existence of an Ayurvedic pharmacy in Mauritius and no trained Ayurvedic pharmacist was recruited in any of the outlets. It was also found that no specific requirements were in place to establish an Ayurvedic outlet in Mauritius. A wide variety of Ayurvedic formulated and single herb products were recorded to be in use against common diseases. Ayurvedic products were imported from India (n=10), purchased from local suppliers (n=6) or locally manufactured (n=1). The Traditional Medicine Board under the aegis of the pharmacy board is a regulatory body which requires Ayurvedic practitioners to be registered so as to practice AM in Mauritius. Additionally, the government has an Ayurvedic committee, under the aegis of the Pharmacy board in the Ministry of Health and Quality of Life to monitor the importation of AM. However, no legal framework has been enacted to regulate the sale of AM under prescription or under the supervision of an Ayurvedic practitioner. Conclusion The current regulatory framework is such that the sale/use/distribution of AM is not strictly controlled unlike its importation. This has led to a certain form of unregulated practice in the private sector whereby the dispensing and sale of AM are being done over-the-counter without professional recommendations. It is recommended that authorities need to regulate the Ayurvedic medical system in Mauritius by amending stringent laws to ensure safety of patients.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Rodrigues is an autonomous outer island that form part of the Republic of Mauritius and one of three islands that constitute the Mascarene archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Though herbal medicine is in common use in Rodrigues, there has been no ethnopharmacological study to document quantitatively such traditional practise particularly against non-communicable diseases (NCD) which is currently a growing major health issue on the island. The aim of the present study was to collect, analyse and document traditionally used medicinal plants (MP) from key informants and traditional medicine practitioners (TMP) in the tropical island of Rodrigues to treat and/or manage common NCD. Materials and methods Data was collected via face-to-face interviews with MP users ( n =113) and TMP (n =9). Seven quantitative ethnopharmacological indices, namely family use value (FUV), use value (UV), informant agreement ratio (IAR), relative frequency of citation (RFC), fidelity level (FL), relative importance (RI) and ethnobotanicity index (EI) were calculated. Results Hundred and three plants belonging to 55 families were recorded for the treatment and/or management of 27 different NCD. Three of the MP ( Terminalia bentzoe (L.) L.F , Sarcostemma cf. adontolepis Balf.f. and Clerodendrum laciniatum Balf.f.) recorded are endemic to Rodrigues and 2 ( Carissa xylopicron Thouars. , Phyllanthus casticum Willemet f.) endemic to the Mascarene Islands. The most solicited MP family was Asteraceae with a total of 8 species. Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle scored the highest RFC (RFC=1.02) value. Ten plants were found to score 100% FL and the highest IAR (0.98) was observed for the disease category of certain conditions originating in the perinatal period. Arecaceae scored the highest FUV value and Ayapana triplinervis (Vahl) R.M. King et H.Rob highest UV (UV= 2.72). Conclusion Given the dearth of updated information on traditional medicine of Rodrigues, this study can provide an opportunity to establish valuable primary information on the different MP used by the local people and hence can open new perspectives for further pharmacological research.

WOS: 000367615700001, PubMed: 26798334, We aimed to investigate the inhibitory potential of three medicinal plants (Hedysarum varium, Onobrychis hypargyrea, and Vicia truncatula) from Turkey against key enzymes involved in human pathologies, namely, diabetes (alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase), neurodegenerative disorders (tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase, and butyrylcholinesterase), and hyperpigmentation (tyrosinase). The antioxidant potential, phenolic and flavonoid content of ethyl acetate, and methanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated using in vitro assays. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), beta-carotene/linoleic acid bleaching activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH center dot), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS(center dot+)), cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and metal chelating activity on ferrous ions were used to evaluate the antioxidant capabilities of the extracts. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of the extracts on cholinesterase, tyrosinase, and alpha-amylase were significantly higher than the references, galantamine, kojic acid, and acarbose, respectively. The half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50) of the extracts on TAC, CUPRAC, and FRAP were significantly higher than trolox. The phenol and flavonoid contents of the plant extracts were in the range 20.90 +/- 0.190-83.25 +/- 0.914mg gallic acid equivalent/g extract and 1.45 +/- 0.200-39.71 +/- 0.092mg rutin equivalent/g extract, respectively. The plants were found to possess moderate antioxidant capacities and interesting inhibitory action against key enzymes., Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [113Z892], This research was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) (Project no. 113Z892).

Ethnopharmacological relevance Pain is a multi-faceted and multi-factorial condition which is challenging to manage and treat. Conventional therapies such as analgesics, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and corticosteroids amongst others have been successful to some extent in its management and treatment. Nonetheless, such therapies tend to be accompanied by undesirable effects and have a limited therapeutic range. Consequently, there is a pressing need to probe for novel analgesic and anti-nociceptive drugs from traditional medicines (TM). This study was designed to record, document and analyze herbal and animal-based therapies used for the management and treatment of pain in the tropical of Mauritius. Materials and methods Data was collected via face-to-face interviews with TM users ( n =332) and practitioners ( n =20). Seven quantitative ethnopharmacological indexes, namely family use value (FUV), use value (UV), informant agreement ratio (IAR), relative frequency of citation (RFC), fidelity level (FL), relative importance (RI) and ethnobotanicity index (EI) were calculated. Results A total of 79 plant species distributed within 40 families and 20 polyherbal preparations was recorded. Interestingly, 6 indigenous/endemic plants have been reported for the first time to be in common use for pain management and treatment in Mauritius. The most significant biologically important plant family was Xanthorrhoeaceae with highest FUV. The species which ranked highest according to its UV was Morinda citrifolia L. Morinda citrifolia L. and Ricinus communis L. also scored the highest RFC. The IAR values for the disease categories were high (0.95–0.97). Based on EI, plants species which are known to be useful in TM accounted for 11.5% of the total flora in Mauritius. Coix lacryma-jobi L. (FL=100%) had highest FL for lower back ache. Morinda citrifolia L. scored highest on most of the quantitative indices calculated including RI, which is endorsed by extensive documentation on its versatility and particularly its anti-nociceptive properties. Seven animal species were recorded to be in common use. Conclusion The present ethnopharmacological study revealed a panoply of TM to be in common use for pain management and treatment in Mauritius. This study has documented for the first time medicinal plants and animal species with potential analgesic and/or anti-nociceptive properties. This study has therefore provided important baseline primary data for the discovery of new lead molecules for drug development geared towards pain management and treatment.

Five traditionally used antidiabetic native medicinal plants of Mauritius, namely,Stillingia lineata(SL),Faujasiopsis flexuosa(FF),Erythroxylum laurifolium(EL),Elaeodendron orientale(EO), andAntidesma madagascariensis(AM), were studied for possibleα-amylase andα-glucosidase inhibitory property, glucose entrapment, and amylolysis kineticsin vitro. Only methanolic extracts of EL, EO, and AM (7472.92±5.99,1745.58±31.66, and2222.96±13.69 μg/mL, resp.) were found to significantly (P<0.05) inhibitα-amylase and were comparable to acarbose. EL, EO, AM, and SL extracts (5000 μg/mL) were found to significantly (P<0.05) inhibitα-glucosidase (between87.41±3.31and96.87±1.37% inhibition). Enzyme kinetic studies showed an uncompetitive and mixed type of inhibition. Extracts showed significant (P<0.05) glucose entrapment capacities (8 to 29% glucose diffusion retardation index (GDRI)), with SL being more active (29% GDRI) and showing concentration-dependent activity (29, 26, 21, 14, and 5%, resp.). Amylolysis kinetic studies showed that methanolic extracts were more potent inhibitors ofα-amylase compared to aqueous extracts and possessed glucose entrapment properties. Our findings tend to provide justification for the hypoglycaemic action of these medicinal plants which has opened novel avenues for the development of new phytopharmaceuticals geared towards diabetes management.

The use of medicinal plants as a fundamental component of the African traditional healthcare system is perhaps the oldest and the most assorted of all therapeutic systems. In many parts of rural Africa, traditional healers prescribing medicinal plants are the most easily accessible and affordable health resource available to the local community and at times the only therapy that subsists. Nonetheless, there is still a paucity of updated comprehensive compilation of promising medicinal plants from the African continent. The major focus of the present review is to provide an updated overview of 10 promising medicinal plants from the African biodiversity which have short- as well as long-term potential to be developed as future phytopharmaceuticals to treat and/or manage panoply of infectious and chronic conditions. In this endeavour, key scientific databases have been probed to investigate trends in the rapidly increasing number of scientific publications on African traditional medicinal plants. Within the framework of enhancing the significance of traditional African medicinal plants, aspects such as traditional use, phytochemical profile, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies and also future challenges pertaining to the use of these plants have been explored.

Infectious diseases are responsible for one in every two deaths in many developing countries, but people in sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable, as poverty is rampant and access to health care is limited. Additionally, the unregulated use of antibiotics in some parts of Africa has led to the emergence of resistance in pathogens. Indeed, one of the biggest pandemics is malaria, which kills millions annually. Currently, artemisinin (effective against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium ) is the only weapon available to fight this pandemic, yet the World Health Organization has reported with concern that some countries in Southeast Asia are beginning to witness resistance to artemisinin. As a consequence, increasing attention is being drawn to botanicals, as they have the potential to provide alternative and complementary therapies, as well as potential leads to address emerging infections and resistance. This chapter will review some medicinal plants from the African Herbal Pharmacopoeia that show promise for containing existing and emerging infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases (IDs) still remain a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. This study has been geared to gather primary ethnopharmacological information on common native remedies (NRs) used to treat and/or manage common infectious diseases from different regions of Mauritius, a tropical multicultural island in the Indian Ocean. Given the dearth of updated information on traditional medicine of Mauritius, this work can provide an opportunity to establish valuable primary information on the different NRs used by the local people and hence open new perspectives for further pharmacological research.To collect, preserve and document primary ethnopharmacological data from the local population concerning NRs commonly used against IDs in the tropical island of Mauritius.Face to face interviews were conducted with Mauritians and herbalists (n=307) using a semi-structured questionnaire. Quantitative ethnobotany parameters such as informant consensus factor (F(IC)), fidelity level (FL), use value (UV) and variety of use (VU) were used for herbal and animal products. Statistical analysis such as Pearson correlation and Chi-squared test were performed to delineate any association.It was found that 94.8% of the local people claimed that managing IDs with NRs was part of their culture and have been using it since childhood. A total of 39 plant species belonging to 24 families and 9 animal species were reported to be traditionally used in the formulation of herbal remedies and animal products, respectively. Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, place of residence and income) had a significant (p0.01) impact on the use of these NRs. The most relevant family contributing much to the medicinal flora was Zingiberaceae (No of citation=301). The average F(IC) for all ailments for medicinal plants and animal products were 0.963 and 0.972, respectively. Acalypha indica L. had the highest FL (0.83) for skin and subcutaneous tissue problems. Panoply of animal products (Anguilla japonica, Periplaneta americana and Helix aspersa) were culturally used, whereby products from Bos taurus, (42.0%) were the most utilized zootherapy. Other remedies used in concurrence with herbal and animal products involved cultural rituals and prayers that were never reported in previous studies. Therapeutic properties of some herbal remedies reported correlated to some extent with those of previous studies while others have open potential perspectives for further research as their chemistry and pharmacology have not been published.Given the plethora of novel information obtained from the present survey, it is obvious that the indigenous population still relies to a great extent on NRs which need to be preserved and used sustainably. Nonetheless, further research is needed to probe the possible active constituents that could be the basis of an evidence based investigation to discover new drugs.