Ethnobotanical Studies on Traditional Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Potential

• Author(s): Raveendra B Hujaratti
• Paper ID: 1707245
• Page: 410-420
• Published Date: 30-04-2019
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 2 Issue 10 April-2019

Abstract

Ethnobotanical studies on traditional medicinal plants have provided valuable insights into the cultural and historical uses of plant species for the treatment of various ailments, with these plants offering significant pharmacological potential due to their bioactive compounds, which have been identified as promising sources for the development of modern medicines, with ethnobotanical surveys revealing that plants such as Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Curcuma longa (Turmeric), and Andrographis paniculata have been utilized in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and indigenous practices across different parts of the world for their wide range of therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and immunomodulatory properties; the growing body of research based on ethnobotanical knowledge has contributed to the identification of novel phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids, which have demonstrated substantial pharmacological activity in preclinical studies, supporting the use of these plants in the treatment of chronic diseases, infections, and stress-related disorders, with particular attention being given to the mechanisms by which these compounds interact with molecular pathways, including oxidative stress modulation, inflammation reduction, and cell signaling regulation, as evidenced in studies on Andrographis paniculata, which contains andrographolides with potent anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects (Brahmi et al., 2017); however, despite the promising results from ethnobotanical research, there are challenges in validating the efficacy and safety of these plants, as many of them are underexplored in clinical settings, and the wide variation in plant quality, preparation methods, and dosage across cultures complicates the standardization of their use, while issues related to the sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants and the loss of traditional knowledge due to globalization and environmental degradation pose further challenges; thus, future research in the field of ethnobotany must focus on the integration of modern scientific approaches, including phytochemistry, molecular biology, and clinical trials, with traditional knowledge to better understand the pharmacological mechanisms of medicinal plants and ensure their safe and effective use in contemporary healthcare systems, with a call for interdisciplinary collaboration between ethnobotanists, pharmacologists, and conservationists to ensure the sustainable utilization and preservation of these invaluable plant resources for future generations (Fabricant & Farnsworth, 2001; Heinrich et al., 2012).

Keywords

Ethnobotany, Traditional Medicinal Plants, Pharmacological Potential, Phytochemicals, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory, Sustainable Harvesting

Citations

IRE Journals:
Raveendra B Hujaratti "Ethnobotanical Studies on Traditional Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Potential" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 2 Issue 10 2019 Page 410-420

IEEE:
Raveendra B Hujaratti "Ethnobotanical Studies on Traditional Medicinal Plants and Their Pharmacological Potential" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 2(10)