Background: The aim of the current study was to elaborate the indigenous knowledge about the use of medicinal plants in the Hindukush range, Tehsil Mastuj, Chitral, Pakistan. The study's goal was to use quantitative ethnobotanical indices to chronicle indigenous knowledge about the treatment of various disorders, as well as to locate and describe traditional applications of medicinal plants in the area to highlight key medicinal plant species by comparing the results to previously published ethnobotanical and pharmacological data. The medicinal flora is on the verge of extinction due to overgrazing and injudicious use. Methods: We conducted interviews with residents of Mastuj. Semi-structured protocols with a free list of plants were used to collect information, as well as botanical collection and identification of mentioned plants. Use Value (UV) and Informant Agreement Ratio (IAR) were used to analyze ethnobotanical data. Results: 44 plants belonging to 25 families were identified. Of them 1 family was gymnosperm, and 24 families were angiosperms. There were 36 wild plants, 4 wild and cultivated, 3 cultivated plants. The information collected from the study area revealed that 38 plants were used for the treatment of various ailments and diseases i.e., for cough, backache, skin diseases, dysentery, eczema, diarrhea, purgative, typhoid, rheumatism, narcosis, dyspepsia, malaria, tuberculosis, bronchitis, leprosy, jaundice, vomiting, wheals, lumbago, oedema, and as vermifuge and anthelmintic. Conclusion: Local communities have kept their traditional ways of life, relying on wild and cultivated plants for food, fuel, fodder, building materials, and crude drugs. Elders and health practitioners in the study area are knowledgeable about indigenous et al. medicinal plants, whereas young people are less interested in herbal treatments. As a result, traditional knowledge ethnomedicine is on the verge of extinction. In situ and ex situ conservation measures should be implemented to ensure the preservation and long-term use of such medicinal plant species, particularly those with economic and pharmaceutical importance. Residents should be properly trained and guided in the collection, drying, storage, and preservation of medicinal plants. Keywords: Ethnobotanical indices, Extinction, Hindukush range, Indigenous knowledge, Medicinal plants.

Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles are safe, non-toxic, and biocompatible. These NPs are used in food packaging materials, self-cleaning glass, ceramics, deodorants, sunscreens, paints, coatings, ointments, lotions, and as preservatives. This study explored the biological potential of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using H. rariflorum. Methods: In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus solani were determined. Antioxidant activity was explored using the DPPH radical scavenging method. In vivo analgesic, antipyretic and sedative potential of synthesized nanoparticles was investigated using a mouse model. Results: SEM with various magnification powers showed that some particles were spherical while some were aggregated, flake-shaped, and hexagonal with rough and irregular surfaces. The EDX analysis revealed Zn (12.63%), O (22.83%) and C (63.11%) with trace quantities of Si (0.40%), Ca (0.54%) and P (0.49%). The XRD pattern indicated an amorphous state, with no peaks observed throughout the spectrum. The UV–visible spectrophotometry revealed a characteristic absorption peak at 375 nm, indicating the presence of ZnO nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) displayed several small peaks between 1793 and 2370 cm⁻¹, providing evidence of the presence of different kinds of organic compounds with different functional groups. ZnO-NPs showed dose-dependent antibacterial and antifungal potential against all strains. Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were the most susceptible strains. The nanoparticles exhibited a maximum antioxidant effect of 85.28% at 100 μg/mL. In this study, the acute toxicity test showed no mortality, and normal behavior was observed in mice at ZnO-NP doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. For analgesic and antipyretic activities, a two-way ANOVA revealed that dose, time, and the interaction between dose and time were significant. In contrast, the samples had a non-significant effect on sedative activity. Conclusions: This innovative study suggests a potential use of plant resources for managing microbes and treating various diseases, providing a scientific basis for the traditional use of H. rariflorum.

Background: The present work was intended to explore the quantitative ethnobotany and conservation status of flora of Koh-e-Suleman range, Razmak valley, North Waziristan, Pakistan. For the first time, significant traditional knowledge of the uses of reported flora was documented. Objective: The aim of the present study was to: (i) elucidate local populations' traditional knowledge of indigenous plants used for various purposes (ii) compile ethnomedicinal data using quantitative analyses for in-depth pharmacological evaluation of medicinal plants. (iii) evaluate the reported flora's conservation status. Methods: Ethnobotanical data were analyzed using quantitative tools, i.e., Relative frequency citation (RFC), use value (UV), and fidelity level (FL). Results: 102 participants including 75 men and 27 women were interviewed. The participants reported a total of 68 plant species, belonging to 57 genera and 19 families. There was 1 family of pteridophytes (1 species), 1 family of gymnosperms (4 species) and 63 species belonging to 17 families of angiosperms. Of the total reported plants, 38 were fodder species, 37 were medicinal species, 5 were timber species, 9 were fuel species, 8 were fruits species, 1 was vegetable species, 5 were condiment species, 2 were thatching species, 9 were ornamental species while none of the species was poisonous in nature. Conservation status revealed that 49 species (72.05 %) were vulnerable, 12 species (17.64 %) were rare, 6 species (8.82 %) were endangered, and 1 species (1.47 %) was found infrequent. Conclusion: The current study showed the majority of the species were used as fuel wood, medicines, and fodder. As most plant species have significant curative properties, a rotational and moderate grazing system is required to conserve the plants. Local residents must inculcate in their children the importance of floral diversity and conservation. Keywords: Anthropogenic activities, Conservation status, Endangered species, Quantitative ethnobotany, Razmak valley.

Background: The present study encompassed a highly traded medicinal plant Viola odorata L. (Violaceae) for detailed Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy, ethnobotany and phytochemical evaluation. Phytochemical evaluation included ascorbic acid, nutritional, and phytochemical profile, and essential and fixed oil study. Even though each feature has its own limited taxonomic value but collectively these characteristics may be systematically important especially for the discrimination and identification of complex and problematic taxa. Methods: The aim was to study microscopy, histology and phytochemical composition of Viola odorata on the basis of ethnobotanical information cited in the literature. Methods: The microscopy, and phytochemical composition of V. odorata was studied using standard methods. Results: Anatomy of the plant parts depicted dicot histology. Stomatal study under LM and SEM, revealed the presence of diacytic and anisocytic type of stomata. Stomata were numerous on the lower epidermis of the leaf. SEM of the powder drug showed the presence of trichomes, calcium-oxalate crystals, pitted vessels, fibers, trichomes, pollen grains, parenchyma cells, pith cells and root hair, but some unknown tissues were also seen. Ascorbic acid, nutritional, and phytochemical profile was investigated according to the standard methods. Different parts of the plant contained various chemical constituents such as alkaloids, mucilage, anthraquninone, saponins, tannins, fats and oil, protein and starch. Quantification of phytochemicals revealed mucilage and tannins to be the highest as compared to saponins and alkaloids. Leaves had 0.00143 % essential oil and 0.396 % fixed oil. Ascorbic acid, nutritional, and phytochemical profile, and oil study revealed vitamin C, proximate and phytochemical composition of V. odorata. Conclusion: Overall, this study can be helpful for plant taxonomists to further analyze the species for phytochemical isolation. This will improve the regulatory process and reduce the risk of a quality breach. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Histology, Morphology, Phytochemical evaluation, SEM, Viola odorata L.