Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015, the 2030 Agenda pledges to leave no one behind through the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets were ratified by the international...

Pteridophytes are some of the herbal plants used to cure ailments. The present study scientifically finds out the folkloric therapeutic claims of 15 species of Philippine medicinal pteridophytes. Phytochemical components namely alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and anthraquinones of each plant samples were qualitatively determined. Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract was tested on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. The antipyretic activity using yeast-induced pyrexia and the anti-inflammatory activity using egg-albumin-induced paw edema were done on white rats. The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins in most of the extracts. Anthraquinones were absent. Extract form three species of pteridophytes namely: Equisetum ramosissimum, Pyrrosia piloselloides, and Selaginella usterii did not manifest any antibacterial activity. Blechnum orientale has no antifungal activity. All extracts showed significant effect in reducing yeast-induced pyrexia when compared with the negative control (NSS). Fourteen (14) out of the fifteen (15) plant extracts in 400 mg/kg Body Weight dosage inhibited anti-inflammatory activities in eggalbumin induced rat paw edema except for Pyrossia piloselloides. However, all plant extracts in 800 mg/kg Body Weight dosage showed significant rat paw reduction. A dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect was observed within 6 hours of paw thickness observation. Keywords - Phytochemicals, Ferns, Bioassay, Philippines.

This study compared the morpho-anatomical characters of two horticulturally important hoyas endemic to the Philippines viz., Hoya incrassata and Hoya soligamiana. Fresh cuttings were used for morphological and anatomical measurements. Free hand sections were taken from leaves, shoots and roots for determination of structural differences. Leaf pigments were cleared to observe the venation and stomatal arrangement. The results showed that hoyas differ in their leaf shape and texture, flower colour, and the inflorescence shape and position. H. soligamiana has glabrous lanceolate leaves, whitish to creamy petals, purplish to pink inner and outer coronal lobes, and whitish to pink fused sepals. H. incrassata has coriaceous lance-ovate leaves, whitish to yellowish fused petals, yellow inner coronal lobes, reddish to orange outer coronal lobes, and fused sepals. The measured anatomical traits in the cross sections of roots and stems of the two Hoya species did not differ with the exception of stomatal types and arrangement in the leaves. The pigment clearing of the leaves showed that H. incrassata has sunken cyclocytic stomata while H. soligamiana has actinocytic stomata. Morpho-anatomical information provides taxonomic value for identifying and classifying the two Hoya species.

Like any other country in the tropical and subtropical regions, wild yams are considered an important food by many indigenous peoples in the Philippines and other parts of Southeast Asia. Yet, cases of intoxication and even death have been reported due to wild yam consumption. Unfortunately, some locals cannot differentiate the edible from the poisonous species that require further processing whilst ethnobotanical information remains scarce. In this study, we determined the identity of a poisonous wild yam locally known as “Lab-o” to the Higaonon tribe of Bukidnon province in the Mindanao island, Philippines. Due to highly diverse morphological variations within species and varieties of yams, “Lab-o” was identified through DNA barcoding. Based on the BLASTn analysis, the wild yam in question was identified as Dioscorea hispida Dennst. which further confirms the reported toxicity of the yam. To bridge scientific knowledge and indigenous knowledge system, we also explored the traditional processing methods of wild yam detoxification practiced by various indigenous cultures. The DNA barcoding protocol described in this study may serve as a reference to accurately identify the plant in the wild. The poisonous yams may be labelled with appropriate warnings and preparation guides as preventive information measures to avoid the incidences of poisoning and death. The indigenous knowledge and practices associated with the utilisation of Dioscorea hispida Dennst. and other neglected and underutilised plant resources could be likewise considered in addressing food safety and food insecurity in the Asian region.