Calotropis procera (family Apocynaceae) is a valuable medicinal plant as it contains many valuable phytochemicals such as glycosides (mostly cardenolides), flavonoids, triterpenes, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, proteins and enzymes. Multiparous biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, wound healing and wideranging antimicrobial activities of C. procera have been well investigated and reported. The main aim of this review was to present the encompassing information regarding antimicrobial activities of C. procera latex, different crude extracts and some isolated compounds which have been tested for antimicrobial property. Comprehensive data extracted from earlier as well as recently published original articles regarding antibacterial, antifungal, anti-protozoal and antiviral properties of C. procera were discussed and summarised in tabular forms. The compiled data comprised of plant parts, geographical origin, type of tested extracts/fractions, test model, used doses, tested microorganisms, obtained results and relevant references. In addition, the isolated antimicrobial pure compounds of C. procera are also discussed in a separate section. The analysis and information presented in this review identified the existing critical knowledge gaps in the research and also explored the future perspectives and further research opportunities of C. procera.

The issue of foraging for wild food plants among migrants and relocated communities is an important one in environmental studies, especially in order to understand how human societies rearrange their practices linked to nature and how they adapt to new socioecological systems. This paper addresses the complexity of Traditional/Local Environmental Knowledge (LEK) changes associated to wild vegetables and herbs across four different groups of Afghan refugees living in Mansehra District, NW Pakistan, since 1985. Via interviews with eighty study participants, forty-eight wild vegetables and herbs were recorded, representing both the past and present wild plant gastronomic heritage. The majority of the quoted wild plant ingredients were only remembered and no longer actively used, thus suggesting an important erosion of LEK. Moreover, the number of wild vegetables and herbs currently used by Afghan Pashtuns engaged in farming activities is much higher than those reported by the other groups. The findings indicate that practiced LEK, i.e., knowledge that is continuously kept alive via constant contact with the natural environment, is essential for the resilience of the biocultural heritage, which is, however, also influenced by the rearrangement of social life adopted by refugees after relocation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop an herbal topical sunscreen formulation based on some fixed oils in combination with some medicinal plants. Materials and Methods: The crude and purified extracts were screened for their phytochemical profile and their sun protection potentials. Based on our results, Elaeagnus angustifolia purified extract (EAPE), sesame oil, and sea buckthorn oil were selected for the development of the sunscreen formulation. The developed sunscreen formulations containing different concentration of EAPE were evaluated for their different physicochemical properties and stability. Results: The results of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in all tested extracts. EAPE, sesame oil, and sea buckthorn oil showed the highest absorption in the ultraviolet region. The sun protection factor (SPF) value of the developed formulations containing different concentration of EAPE was in the range of 6.37 +/- 0.14 to 21.05 +/- 0.85. The sunscreen formulation containing 6% EAPE was stable for 8 weeks in an oven (40 degrees C) and refrigerator (4 degrees C). Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed a higher sun protection capacity of EAPE than the other plant extracts. Sunscreen formulations containing 6% EAPE showed promising SPF values. However, further in vivo studies are highly recommended to prove further the safety and efficacy of our developed sunscreen formulation.

Background and Objectives: Alhagi pseudalhagi and Elaeagnus angustifolia are among the medicinal plants used traditionally in Afghanistan. The aim of present work was to study A. pseudalhagi herbs and E. angustifolia leaves for their preliminary phytochemical profile, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), in vitro antioxidant activity and sun protective factor (SPF). Methods: Alhagi pseudalhagi herb crude extract (APCE) and E. angustifolia leaves crude extract (EACE) were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. Standard qualitative phytochemical tests were performed to detect various phytochemicals in the crude drugs. Both of APCE and EACE were purified as per previously described method to obtain A. pseudalhagi herb purified extract (APPE) and E. angustifolia leaves purified extract (EAPE). The TPC, TFC, and SPF of the extracts were determined, Following prescribed methods. To evaluate in vitro antioxidative potential of the extracts, DPPH radical scavenging assay method was performed. The experiments were performed in three replications. Results: Carbohydrates, phenolics, flavonoids, sterols, tannins, and saponins were present in all tested extracts. The TPC of tested extracts ranged from 71.14 ± 2.10 to 203.76±2.07 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) / g dried extract, as recorded for APCE and EAPE, respectively. TFC values of 33.24±3.23 and 135.85 ±3.83 mg rutin equivalent (RUE) / g dried extract were found for EACE and EAPE, respectively. TFC values of 59.61±3.40 and 121.06±3.37 were recorded for APCE and APPE, respectively. DPPH radicals scavenging capacity and SPF of the tested extracts were positively correlated with their TPC and TFC. The EAPE and APPE produced IC₅₀ value of 4.5 and 14.31, respectively. The higher SPF of 29.73 ± 0.31 was produced by EAPE, while APPE exhibited SPF of 17.83 ± 0.88, as calculated for 2mg/ml methanol solution of the extracts. Conclusion: Based on present study, EAPE revealed higher TPC and TFC values and hence, showed potent in vitro antioxidant potential and higher SPF value, as compared with A. pseudalhagi herb extracts. Therefore, EAPE could be highly recommended to be used in development of herbal sunscreen formulations.

The present correspondence endeavours to assess the biological and phytochemical studies about on the leaves of Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) fabaceae family collected from forest area of Tamilnadu, India.