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Medicinal plants are widely used in folk medicine but quite often their composition and biological effects are hardly known. Our study aimed to analyze the composition, cytotoxicity, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity and cellular migration effects of Anthyllis vulneraria, Fuchsia magellanica, Fuchsia triphylla and Lysimachia nummularia used in the Romanian ethnomedicine for wounds. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze 50% (v/v) ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plants’ leaves. Antimicrobial activities were estimated with a standard microdilution method. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by validated chemical cell-free and biological cell-based assays. Cytotoxic effects were performed on mouse fibroblasts and human keratinocytes with a plate reader-based method assessing intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), nucleic acid and protein contents and also by a flow cytometer-based assay detecting apoptotic–necrotic cell populations. Cell migration to cover cell-free areas was visualized by time-lapse phase-contrast microscopy using standard culture inserts. Fuchsia species showed the strongest cytotoxicity and the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, their ethanolic extracts facilitated cell migration, most probably due to their various phenolic acid, flavonoid and anthocyanin derivatives. Our data might serve as a basis for further animal experiments to explore the complex action of Fuchsia species in wound healing assays.
Rita Csepregi; Viktória Temesfői; Sourav Das; Ágnes Alberti; Csenge Anna Tóth; Róbert Herczeg; Nóra Papp; Tamás Kőszegi. Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Properties and Effects on Cell Migration of Phenolic Compounds of Selected Transylvanian Medicinal Plants. Antioxidants 2020, 9, 166 .
AMA StyleRita Csepregi, Viktória Temesfői, Sourav Das, Ágnes Alberti, Csenge Anna Tóth, Róbert Herczeg, Nóra Papp, Tamás Kőszegi. Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Properties and Effects on Cell Migration of Phenolic Compounds of Selected Transylvanian Medicinal Plants. Antioxidants. 2020; 9 (2):166.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRita Csepregi; Viktória Temesfői; Sourav Das; Ágnes Alberti; Csenge Anna Tóth; Róbert Herczeg; Nóra Papp; Tamás Kőszegi. 2020. "Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant Properties and Effects on Cell Migration of Phenolic Compounds of Selected Transylvanian Medicinal Plants." Antioxidants 9, no. 2: 166.
We investigated the antifungal activities of purified plant metabolites artemisinin (Ar) and scopoletin (Sc) including inhibition, effects on metabolic activities, viability, and oxidative stress on planktonic forms and on preformed biofilms of seven Candida species. The characteristic minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of Ar and Sc against Candida species ranged from 21.83–142.1 µg/mL and 67.22–119.4 µg/mL, respectively. Drug concentrations causing ≈10% CFU decrease within 60 min of treatments were also determined (minimum effective concentration, MEC10) using 100-fold higher CFUs than in the case of MIC90 studies. Cytotoxic effects on planktonic and on mature biofilms of Candida species at MEC10 concentrations were further evaluated with fluorescent live/dead discrimination techniques. Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, and Candida parapsilosis were the species most sensitive to Ar and Sc. Ar and Sc were also found to promote the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing oxidative stress at their respective MEC10 concentrations against the tested planktonic Candida species. Ar and Sc possess dose-dependent antifungal action but the underlying mechanism type (fungistatic and fungicidal) is not clear yet. Our data suggest that Ar and Sc found in herbal plants might have potential usage in the fight against Candida biofilms.
Sourav Das; Lilla Czuni; Viktória Báló; Gábor Papp; Zoltán Gazdag; Nóra Papp; Tamás Kőszegi; Papp. Cytotoxic Action of Artemisinin and Scopoletin on Planktonic Forms and on Biofilms of Candida Species. Molecules 2020, 25, 476 .
AMA StyleSourav Das, Lilla Czuni, Viktória Báló, Gábor Papp, Zoltán Gazdag, Nóra Papp, Tamás Kőszegi, Papp. Cytotoxic Action of Artemisinin and Scopoletin on Planktonic Forms and on Biofilms of Candida Species. Molecules. 2020; 25 (3):476.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSourav Das; Lilla Czuni; Viktória Báló; Gábor Papp; Zoltán Gazdag; Nóra Papp; Tamás Kőszegi; Papp. 2020. "Cytotoxic Action of Artemisinin and Scopoletin on Planktonic Forms and on Biofilms of Candida Species." Molecules 25, no. 3: 476.
The use of hellebore (Helleborus) species for medical purposes has a long-standing tradition. Our work aimed at providing a historical survey of their medicinal application in Europe, and data on current ethnobotanical use ofH. purpurascensWaldst. et Kit. in Transylvania (Romania), compared with earlier records of this region and other European countries. While the chemistry and pharmacology of hellebores have been researched extensively, little is known about their anatomical traits. Thus, we intended to provide a detailed histological analysis ofHelleborus odorusWaldst. et Kit.,H. purpurascens, andH. nigerL., based on transverse sections of aerial parts and root. Our survey revealed thatH. purpurascensis known for immunotherapy, wounds, and as antiemetic drug in ethnoveterinary medicine, but not in human therapy in the study area. Distinctive histological characters included diverse stele structure in the root; sclerenchymatous bundle caps around compound vascular bundles in the stem and the main leaf veins ofH. odorus; and amphistomatic leaves inH. purpurascens. Quantitative vegetative traits also revealed significant differences among species, but they may reflect environmental influences, too. In all three species the sepal was hypostomatic with mesomorphic stomata, while the modified petal comprised a proximal nectar-producing and a distal non-secretory part. Distinctive floral traits included shape of modified petal, presence of papillae and thickness of non-secretory part; as well as ornamentation of tricolpate pollen grains. Our findings suggest that the anatomy of various plant parts varies slightly with each species, including ethnomedicinally knownH. purpurascens, even though the basic structure is the same within the genus.
Viktória Lilla Balázs; Rita Filep; Tünde Ambrus; Marianna Kocsis; Ágnes Farkas; Szilvia Stranczinger; Nóra Papp. Ethnobotanical, historical and histological evaluation of Helleborus L. genetic resources used in veterinary and human ethnomedicine. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 2020, 67, 781 -797.
AMA StyleViktória Lilla Balázs, Rita Filep, Tünde Ambrus, Marianna Kocsis, Ágnes Farkas, Szilvia Stranczinger, Nóra Papp. Ethnobotanical, historical and histological evaluation of Helleborus L. genetic resources used in veterinary and human ethnomedicine. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 2020; 67 (3):781-797.
Chicago/Turabian StyleViktória Lilla Balázs; Rita Filep; Tünde Ambrus; Marianna Kocsis; Ágnes Farkas; Szilvia Stranczinger; Nóra Papp. 2020. "Ethnobotanical, historical and histological evaluation of Helleborus L. genetic resources used in veterinary and human ethnomedicine." Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 67, no. 3: 781-797.
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a popular vegetable, spice and medicinal plant. We aimed to collect data about its cultivation, ethnomedicinal and culinary applications in a horseradish-producing region in Hungary and 32 villages in Romania. Horseradish roots are used in ethnomedicine for sore throat, asthma, cough and flu in both areas, alone or in combination with e.g. honey. In Transylvania, additional applications included digestive problems, pleuritis, and rheuma in various forms. The leaf and the grated root is for toothache and fever. Some applications were novel, others matched earlier records from these areas and those of other European countries. In ethnoveterinary practice, the root is used against roaring of horses in all regions. It is traditionally consumed in a soup in Hungary, as pickles, and the leaf in Transylvania. The root samples of the region of interest showed typical chemical pattern of horseradish roots, as shown by GC–MS: allyl isothiocyanate and 2-phenylethyl isothiocyanate were present in high amounts. The presented ethnomedicinal data are supported by a growing body of scientific evidence—pharmacological data available on the isothiocyanates. Data on antimicrobial activity support use in gastritis (Helicobacter pylori) and dental caries, while data on efficacy in inflammatory conditions justify the applications in diseases asthma and respiratory system infections. Our study presented scientific evidence-supported ethnomedicinal data on horseradish rich in bioactive isothiocyanates.
Nóra Papp; Sándor Gonda; Attila Kiss-Szikszai; Tamás Plaszkó; Péter Lőrincz; Gábor Vasas. Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological data of Armoracia rusticana P. Gaertner, B. Meyer et Scherb. in Hungary and Romania: a case study. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 2018, 65, 1893 -1905.
AMA StyleNóra Papp, Sándor Gonda, Attila Kiss-Szikszai, Tamás Plaszkó, Péter Lőrincz, Gábor Vasas. Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological data of Armoracia rusticana P. Gaertner, B. Meyer et Scherb. in Hungary and Romania: a case study. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 2018; 65 (7):1893-1905.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNóra Papp; Sándor Gonda; Attila Kiss-Szikszai; Tamás Plaszkó; Péter Lőrincz; Gábor Vasas. 2018. "Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological data of Armoracia rusticana P. Gaertner, B. Meyer et Scherb. in Hungary and Romania: a case study." Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 65, no. 7: 1893-1905.
Objective: To make phytochemical studies of the leaf, pericarp and seed of Coffea benghalensis (C. Benghalensis) compared with those of the widely known Coffea arabica and Coffea liberica. Methods: The sample extracts were prepared by Soxhlet-extraction. Polyphenol content was analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, the identification was carried out based on the retention time, UV and mass spectra of standards and literature data of the detected compounds. Results: Phenolic acids like caffeoylquinic acids, dicaffeoylquinic acids, feruloylquinic acids and coumaroylquinic acid, as well as mangiferin were detected as main constituents in all extracts. Procyanidin trimers were present exclusively in the leaves. In C. benghalensis, main constituents were 5-caffeoylquinic acid and 4-caffeoylquinic acid. Flavan-3-ols were described in all immature and mature pericarp and leaf extracts. Even though 4-feruloylquinic acid was described in both immature and mature seed, dicaffeoylquinic acids were identified only in the mature seed extracts. Mangiferin was present in the leaf, mature pericarp and seed. Conclusions: These analyses provide new chemotaxonomical data for the selected coffees, especially for C. benghalensis. Due to its high polyphenol content, our results indicate its significance of providing new data as a possible source for industry.
Nóra Papp; Éva Brigitta Patay; Ágnes Alberti; Orsolya Csernák; Szilvia Stranczinger. Comparative phytochemical analysis of Coffea benghalensis Roxb Ex Schult, Coffea arabica L. and Coffea liberica Hiern. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2018, 11, 480 .
AMA StyleNóra Papp, Éva Brigitta Patay, Ágnes Alberti, Orsolya Csernák, Szilvia Stranczinger. Comparative phytochemical analysis of Coffea benghalensis Roxb Ex Schult, Coffea arabica L. and Coffea liberica Hiern. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. 2018; 11 (8):480.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNóra Papp; Éva Brigitta Patay; Ágnes Alberti; Orsolya Csernák; Szilvia Stranczinger. 2018. "Comparative phytochemical analysis of Coffea benghalensis Roxb Ex Schult, Coffea arabica L. and Coffea liberica Hiern." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 11, no. 8: 480.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are normal metabolic products of living cells. However, a decrease of the defense mechanisms against the effects of ROS or increased ROS production maybe one important causative factor of cellular damage. A non-enzymatic scavenger system is considered to be responsible for the maintenance of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as a protection against oxidative injuries that exist in all higher plants and in mammals as well. In our work, we optimized and validated a luminol-peroxidase-4-iodophenol-H2O2 enhanced chemiluminescence-based (ECL) TAC measurement technique. BSA was applied in the reagent to prevent peroxidase from auto-oxidation. The ECL method was suitable for plant extracts and for human blood serum as well. Our TAC technique was adapted to microplates and compared to ORAC assay using plant extracts. The ECL method is fast (10 min) with an interassay precision of < 10% as CV. TAC values of ethanolic extracts of 10 plant species did correlate (ECL vs ORAC assay data: r = 0.84, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.78–0.89, P < 0.001) but with systematic bias. Analysis of serum samples obtained from septic and control patients showed significantly higher TAC values in the patient group compared to those of controls (p < 0.01). Moreover, we could discriminate between surviving and non-surviving patients, based on their TAC values (p < 0.01). Pearson's statistics showed the strongest positive correlation with serum uric acid (r = 0.73). Besides the routine laboratory parameters, our novel TAC method might give complementary information on the severity of systemic inflammation.
Tamás Kőszegi; Nikolett Sali; Maja Raknić; Zoltán Horváth-Szalai; Rita Csepregi; Marijana Zovko Končić; Nóra Papp; Miklós Poór. A novel luminol-based enhanced chemiluminescence antioxidant capacity microplate assay for use in different biological matrices. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 2017, 88, 153 -159.
AMA StyleTamás Kőszegi, Nikolett Sali, Maja Raknić, Zoltán Horváth-Szalai, Rita Csepregi, Marijana Zovko Končić, Nóra Papp, Miklós Poór. A novel luminol-based enhanced chemiluminescence antioxidant capacity microplate assay for use in different biological matrices. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods. 2017; 88 ():153-159.
Chicago/Turabian StyleTamás Kőszegi; Nikolett Sali; Maja Raknić; Zoltán Horváth-Szalai; Rita Csepregi; Marijana Zovko Končić; Nóra Papp; Miklós Poór. 2017. "A novel luminol-based enhanced chemiluminescence antioxidant capacity microplate assay for use in different biological matrices." Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 88, no. : 153-159.
Ethnomedicine using mostly plants is of pivotal importance nowadays in several Transylvanian regions in Romania. In this study (2007–2015), one Swabian-German, one Hungarian, three Csángó-Hungarian and nine Székely-Hungarian villages were selected to collect ethnomedicinal treatments for various gastrointestinal diseases. Some of the studied villages have partial or no permanent medical and pharmaceutical services. The 374 inhabitants interviewed used mostly medicinal plants based on ancient knowledge. The 78 (53 wild and 25 cultivated) plants documented have 181 local names and are used to treat ailments such as loss of appetite, bloating, stomach ache, gastric ulcer, and diarrhea, mostly in tea form. This knowledge decreases continuously because of loss of interest among young people and through frequent use of media sources and books. Although some of these plants have also been described in official medicinal sources, several data suggest the need for further fieldwork and new experimental analyses to highlight the valuable role of these plants in recent phytotherapy.
Nóra Papp; Monika Tóth; Tünde Dénes; Kinga Gyergyák; Rita Filep; Sámuel Gergely Bartha; Rita Csepregi; Viktória Lilla Balázs; Agnes Farkas. Ethnomedicinal treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Transylvania, Romania. Acta Ethnographica Hungarica 2017, 62, 207 -220.
AMA StyleNóra Papp, Monika Tóth, Tünde Dénes, Kinga Gyergyák, Rita Filep, Sámuel Gergely Bartha, Rita Csepregi, Viktória Lilla Balázs, Agnes Farkas. Ethnomedicinal treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Transylvania, Romania. Acta Ethnographica Hungarica. 2017; 62 (1):207-220.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNóra Papp; Monika Tóth; Tünde Dénes; Kinga Gyergyák; Rita Filep; Sámuel Gergely Bartha; Rita Csepregi; Viktória Lilla Balázs; Agnes Farkas. 2017. "Ethnomedicinal treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Transylvania, Romania." Acta Ethnographica Hungarica 62, no. 1: 207-220.
Ethnolinguistic studies are important for understanding an ethnic group's ideas on the world, expressed in its language. Comparing corresponding aspects of such knowledge might help clarify problems of origin for certain concepts and words, e.g. whether they form common heritage, have an independent origin, are borrowings, or calques. The current study was conducted on the material in Slavonic, Baltic, Germanic, Romance, Finno-Ugrian, Turkic and Albanian languages. The bear was chosen as being a large, dangerous animal, important in traditional culture, whose name is widely reflected in folk plant names. The phytonyms for comparison were mostly obtained from dictionaries and other publications, and supplemented with data from databases, the co-authors' field data, and archival sources (dialect and folklore materials). More than 1200 phytonym use records (combinations of a local name and a meaning) for 364 plant and fungal taxa were recorded to help find out the reasoning behind bear-nomination in various languages, as well as differences and similarities between the patterns among them. Among the most common taxa with bear-related phytonyms were Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng., Heracleum sphondylium L., Acanthus mollis L., and Allium ursinum L., with Latin loan translation contributing a high proportion of the phytonyms. Some plants have many and various bear-related phytonyms, while others have only one or two bear names. Features like form and/or surface generated the richest pool of names, while such features as colour seemed to provoke rather few associations with bears. The unevenness of bear phytonyms in the chosen languages was not related to the size of the language nor the present occurence of the Brown Bear in the region. However, this may, at least to certain extent, be related to the amount of the historical ethnolinguistic research done on the selected languages.
Valeria Kolosova; Ingvar Svanberg; Raivo Kalle; Lisa Strecker; Ayse Mine Gençler Ozkan; Andrea Pieroni; Kevin Cianfaglione; Zsolt Molnár; Nora Papp; Łukasz Łuczaj; Dessislava Dimitrova; Daiva Šeškauskaitė; Jonathan Roper; Avni Hajdari; Renata Sõukand. The bear in Eurasian plant names: motivations and models. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2017, 13, 14 .
AMA StyleValeria Kolosova, Ingvar Svanberg, Raivo Kalle, Lisa Strecker, Ayse Mine Gençler Ozkan, Andrea Pieroni, Kevin Cianfaglione, Zsolt Molnár, Nora Papp, Łukasz Łuczaj, Dessislava Dimitrova, Daiva Šeškauskaitė, Jonathan Roper, Avni Hajdari, Renata Sõukand. The bear in Eurasian plant names: motivations and models. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2017; 13 (1):14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleValeria Kolosova; Ingvar Svanberg; Raivo Kalle; Lisa Strecker; Ayse Mine Gençler Ozkan; Andrea Pieroni; Kevin Cianfaglione; Zsolt Molnár; Nora Papp; Łukasz Łuczaj; Dessislava Dimitrova; Daiva Šeškauskaitė; Jonathan Roper; Avni Hajdari; Renata Sõukand. 2017. "The bear in Eurasian plant names: motivations and models." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 13, no. 1: 14.
Rita Csepregi; Tímea Bencsik; Nóra Papp. Examination of secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity of Anthyllis vulneraria, Fuchsia sp., Galium mollugo and Veronica beccabunga. Acta Biologica Hungarica 2016, 67, 442 -446.
AMA StyleRita Csepregi, Tímea Bencsik, Nóra Papp. Examination of secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity of Anthyllis vulneraria, Fuchsia sp., Galium mollugo and Veronica beccabunga. Acta Biologica Hungarica. 2016; 67 (4):442-446.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRita Csepregi; Tímea Bencsik; Nóra Papp. 2016. "Examination of secondary metabolites and antioxidant capacity of Anthyllis vulneraria, Fuchsia sp., Galium mollugo and Veronica beccabunga." Acta Biologica Hungarica 67, no. 4: 442-446.
To investigate the antioxidant activity, total phenolic and total tannin content of the pericarp and the seed of Coffea benghalensis (C. benghalensis) and Coffea liberica compared to Coffea arabica (C. arabica).The antioxidant potential, total tannin and polyphenol contents of the immature and mature seed and pericarp of C. benghalensis and Coffea liberica were quantified and compared to C. arabica. Enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), oxygen radical absorbance capacity, Folin-Ciocalteau method and total tannin content assays were used.Trolox equivalent (TE/g plant material) values obtained by ECL and DPPH methods showed loose correlation (r(2) = 0.587) while those measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay were higher without correlation in each plant. A closer correlation was detected between the ECL method and the percentage antioxidant activity of the DPPH technique (r(2) = 0.610 7) in each species, however the immature pericarp of C. benghalensis showed much higher DPPH scavenging potential than was seen in the ECL assay. The immature pericarp of C. benghalensis expressed the highest tannin and polyphenol content, and a high polyphenol level was also detected in the immature seed of C. arabica. The immature pericarp of Bengal and Liberian coffees showed the largest amount of phenolic contents.The obtained data highlight the potential role of C. benghalensis as a new source of natural antioxidants and polyphenols compared to C. arabica.
Éva Brigitta Patay; Nikolett Sali; Tamás Kőszegi; Rita Csepregi; Viktória Lilla Balázs; Tibor Sebastian Németh; Nóra Papp. Antioxidant potential, tannin and polyphenol contents of seed and pericarp of three Coffea species. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 2016, 9, 366 -371.
AMA StyleÉva Brigitta Patay, Nikolett Sali, Tamás Kőszegi, Rita Csepregi, Viktória Lilla Balázs, Tibor Sebastian Németh, Nóra Papp. Antioxidant potential, tannin and polyphenol contents of seed and pericarp of three Coffea species. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. 2016; 9 (4):366-371.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÉva Brigitta Patay; Nikolett Sali; Tamás Kőszegi; Rita Csepregi; Viktória Lilla Balázs; Tibor Sebastian Németh; Nóra Papp. 2016. "Antioxidant potential, tannin and polyphenol contents of seed and pericarp of three Coffea species." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine 9, no. 4: 366-371.
Heléna Békésiné Kallenberger; Györgyi Horváth; Lajos Balogh; Viktória Lilla Balázs; Nóra Papp. Adventív Fallopia taxonok botanikai, fitokémiai és gyógyászati jellemzése. Botanikai Közlemények 2016, 103, 1 .
AMA StyleHeléna Békésiné Kallenberger, Györgyi Horváth, Lajos Balogh, Viktória Lilla Balázs, Nóra Papp. Adventív Fallopia taxonok botanikai, fitokémiai és gyógyászati jellemzése. Botanikai Közlemények. 2016; 103 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHeléna Békésiné Kallenberger; Györgyi Horváth; Lajos Balogh; Viktória Lilla Balázs; Nóra Papp. 2016. "Adventív Fallopia taxonok botanikai, fitokémiai és gyógyászati jellemzése." Botanikai Közlemények 103, no. 1: 1.
In Transylvania, part of Romania, fungi are traditionally used in the human medicine, handicraft, and several customs for a long time past. This study aimed at systematic collecting of ethnomycological and ethnomedicinal data of Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. and Piptoporus betulinus (Bull.) P. Karst. in Corund in south-eastern Transylvania. In addition, we aimed to compare our data with earlier ethnomycological and pharmacological records of the region and other countries. The fieldwork was carried out in Corund in 2012–2013. The visited “toplász” people who work with tinders were asked with semi-structured interviews to list the harvesting method and time, storage and preparations, as well as the ethnomycological and ethnomedicinal use of the fruit body of tinder fungus and birch polypore. Literature data were collected from the major scientific databases. The ethnomycological use of tinder fungus and birch polypore starts with the traditional steps of collection, storage, and trimming and involves the use for ethnomedicinal purposes and preparation of unique handmade products. These preparations are still available on national and international markets nowadays. The ethnobotanical use of these fungi resulted in a special local occupation in Corund, which is a unique activity in the world. Unfortunately, it seems to be a disappearing tradition nowadays because of the lack of transmission. Therefore, these living data should be urgently documented and preserved for the maintenance of this valuable local tradition and knowledge of Székelys.
Nóra Papp; Kinga Rudolf; Tímea Bencsik; Dóra Czégényi. Ethnomycological use of Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. and Piptoporus betulinus (Bull.) P. Karst. in Transylvania, Romania. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 2015, 64, 101 -111.
AMA StyleNóra Papp, Kinga Rudolf, Tímea Bencsik, Dóra Czégényi. Ethnomycological use of Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. and Piptoporus betulinus (Bull.) P. Karst. in Transylvania, Romania. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 2015; 64 (1):101-111.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNóra Papp; Kinga Rudolf; Tímea Bencsik; Dóra Czégényi. 2015. "Ethnomycological use of Fomes fomentarius (L.) Fr. and Piptoporus betulinus (Bull.) P. Karst. in Transylvania, Romania." Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 64, no. 1: 101-111.
Ethnoveterinary medicine is a topic of growing interest among ethnobiologists, and is integral to the agricultural practices of many ethnic groups across the globe. The ethnoveterinary pharmacopoeia is often composed of ingredients available in the local environment, and may include plants, animals and minerals, or combinations thereof, for use in treating various ailments in reared animals. The aim of this study was to survey the current day ethnoveterinary practices of ethnic Hungarian (Székely) settlements situated in the Erdővidék commune (Covasna County, Transylvania, Romania) and to compare them with earlier works on this topic in Romania and other European countries. Data concerning ethnoveterinary practices were collected through semi-structured interviews and direct observation in 12 villages from 2010 to 2014. The cited plant species were collected, identified, dried and deposited in a herbarium. The use of other materials (e.g. animals, minerals and other substances) were also documented. Data were compared to earlier reports of ethnoveterinary knowledge in Transylvania and other European countries using various databases. In total, 26 wild and cultivated plants, 2 animals, and 17 other substances were documented to treat 11 ailments of cattle, horses, pigs, and sheep. The majority of applications were for the treatment of mastitis and skin ailments, while only a few data were reported for the treatment of cataracts, post-partum ailments and parasites. The traditional uses of Armoracia rusticana, Rumex spp., powdered sugar and glass were reported in each village. The use of some plant taxa, such as Allium sativum, Aristolochia clematitis, and Euphorbia amygdaloides was similar to earlier reports from other Transylvanian regions. Although permanent veterinary and medical services are available in some of the villages, elderly people preferred the use of wild and cultivated plants, animals and other materials in ethnoveterinary medicine. Some traditional ethnoveterinary practices are no longer in use, but rather persist only in the memories of the eldest subset of the population. A decline in the vertical transmission of ethnoveterinary knowledge was evident and loss of practice is likely compounded by market availability of ready-made pharmaceuticals.
Sámuel Gergely Bartha; Cassandra L Quave; Lajos Balogh; Nóra Papp. Ethnoveterinary practices of Covasna County, Transylvania, Romania. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2015, 11, 35 .
AMA StyleSámuel Gergely Bartha, Cassandra L Quave, Lajos Balogh, Nóra Papp. Ethnoveterinary practices of Covasna County, Transylvania, Romania. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2015; 11 (1):35.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSámuel Gergely Bartha; Cassandra L Quave; Lajos Balogh; Nóra Papp. 2015. "Ethnoveterinary practices of Covasna County, Transylvania, Romania." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 11, no. 1: 35.
Sarma - cooked leaves rolled around a filling made from rice and/or minced meat, possibly vegetables and seasoning plants – represents one of the most widespread feasting dishes of the Middle Eastern and South-Eastern European cuisines. Although cabbage and grape vine sarma is well-known worldwide, the use of alternative plant leaves remains largely unexplored. The aim of this research was to document all of the botanical taxa whose leaves are used for preparing sarma in the folk cuisines of Turkey and the Balkans. Field studies were conducted during broader ethnobotanical surveys, as well as during ad-hoc investigations between the years 2011 and 2014 that included diverse rural communities in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey. Primary ethnobotanical and folkloric literatures in each country were also considered. Eighty-seven botanical taxa, mainly wild, belonging to 50 genera and 27 families, were found to represent the bio-cultural heritage of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans. The greatest plant biodiversity in sarma was found in Turkey and, to less extent, in Bulgaria and Romania. The most commonly used leaves for preparing sarma were those of cabbage (both fresh and lacto-fermented), grape vine, beet, dock, sorrel, horseradish, lime tree, bean, and spinach. In a few cases, the leaves of endemic species (Centaurea haradjianii, Rumex gracilescens, and R. olympicus in Turkey) were recorded. Other uncommon sarma preparations were based on lightly toxic taxa, such as potato leaves in NE Albania, leaves of Arum, Convolvulus, and Smilax species in Turkey, of Phytolacca americana in Macedonia, and of Tussilago farfara in diverse countries. Moreover, the use of leaves of the introduced species Reynoutria japonica in Romania, Colocasia esculenta in Turkey, and Phytolacca americana in Macedonia shows the dynamic nature of folk cuisines. The rich ethnobotanical diversity of sarma confirms the urgent need to record folk culinary plant knowledge. The results presented here can be implemented into initiatives aimed at re-evaluating folk cuisines and niche food markets based on local neglected ingredients, and possibly also to foster trajectories of the avant-garde cuisines inspired by ethnobotanical knowledge.
Yunus Dogan; Anely Nedelcheva; Łukasz Łuczaj; Constantin Drăgulescu; Gjoshe Stefkov; Aida Maglajlić; Jonathan Ferrier; Nora Papp; Avni Hajdari; Behxhet Mustafa; Zora Dajić-Stevanović; Andrea Pieroni. Of the importance of a leaf: the ethnobotany of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2015, 11, 1 -15.
AMA StyleYunus Dogan, Anely Nedelcheva, Łukasz Łuczaj, Constantin Drăgulescu, Gjoshe Stefkov, Aida Maglajlić, Jonathan Ferrier, Nora Papp, Avni Hajdari, Behxhet Mustafa, Zora Dajić-Stevanović, Andrea Pieroni. Of the importance of a leaf: the ethnobotany of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2015; 11 (1):1-15.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYunus Dogan; Anely Nedelcheva; Łukasz Łuczaj; Constantin Drăgulescu; Gjoshe Stefkov; Aida Maglajlić; Jonathan Ferrier; Nora Papp; Avni Hajdari; Behxhet Mustafa; Zora Dajić-Stevanović; Andrea Pieroni. 2015. "Of the importance of a leaf: the ethnobotany of sarma in Turkey and the Balkans." Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 11, no. 1: 1-15.
Traditional ethnobotanical knowledge concerning plant use can be attributed to the archaic folklore system in Romania, particularly in Transylvania, which forms a considerable part of the country. Various regions of Transylvania are inhabited by Hungarians and Romanians. This chapter provides an overview of the first herbal books from the sixteenth century published in Transylvania, followed by the most significant ethnobotanical surveys conducted in ten main regions from the 1930s to date, the results of which were published in monographs, books and journal papers, mostly in Hungarian. Based on traditional experiences and observations of inhabitants, the present data inventories the local use of plants in ethnomedicine, in construction and household tools, as food and fodder, as well as in various beliefs and customs. The reports are of pivotal importance in documenting the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the rural people, underlining the significance of vernacular names, various applications, home treatments and special local terminology of the plant taxa in the selected areas. Similar surveys are being performed today, focusing on the preservation of archaic elements of folk traditions, as well as on the study of new and promising plant taxa for further laboratory analyses. However, traditional knowledge of local people has clearly decreased; therefore, the conservation, documentation and preservation of these data from disappearance are of primary importance in the future.
Nóra Papp; Kata Birkás-Frendl; Ágnes Farkas; Dóra Czégényi. Hungarian Ethnobotanical Studies in Romania. Ethnobotany and Biocultural Diversities in the Balkans 2014, 29 -44.
AMA StyleNóra Papp, Kata Birkás-Frendl, Ágnes Farkas, Dóra Czégényi. Hungarian Ethnobotanical Studies in Romania. Ethnobotany and Biocultural Diversities in the Balkans. 2014; ():29-44.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNóra Papp; Kata Birkás-Frendl; Ágnes Farkas; Dóra Czégényi. 2014. "Hungarian Ethnobotanical Studies in Romania." Ethnobotany and Biocultural Diversities in the Balkans , no. : 29-44.
Mónika Tóth; Nóra Papp. Ethnopharmacological data from Túrterebes, Szatmár county. Kaleidoscope history 2014, 5, 117 -129.
AMA StyleMónika Tóth, Nóra Papp. Ethnopharmacological data from Túrterebes, Szatmár county. Kaleidoscope history. 2014; 5 (9):117-129.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMónika Tóth; Nóra Papp. 2014. "Ethnopharmacological data from Túrterebes, Szatmár county." Kaleidoscope history 5, no. 9: 117-129.
The aim of this work is to evaluate the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological use of Betula pendula Roth in various regions of Transylvania, in East and Central Romania. Silver birch is an important pioneer species in the country, which has traditionally been used in ethnomedicine, households and various customs. Among the ethnic groups, 55 informants from the Csángós and 68 from the Székelys were interviewed in six villages during field studies occurring between 2007 and 2012. Informants were asked questions about the medical and non-medical applications of B. pendula, focusing on the use of the leaf and woody parts in tools and customs, and on the collection and use of birch sap with its temporal change in local ethnomedicinal knowledge. Differences related to the use of birch among the studied areas were observed. The folk remedies prepared from the sap (“virics”) and leaves were documented in local customs, with similar symbolic roles assigned to birch used in other countries. Sap collection was performed during interviews and by manual means. Four special section types on the trunk were presented, and data concerning the nutritional and ethnomedicinal use of the sap was recorded. Both the significance and use of birch sap have drastically decreased in Transylvania due to the appearance of new phytotherapeutical sources and to social changes caused by migration of young people. We found that this phenomenon is gradually leading to the disappearance traditional harvesting techniques, frequency of use and ethnomedicinal knowledge concerning B. pendula in the studied regions.
Nóra Papp; Dóra Czégényi; Anita Hegedűs; Tamás Morschhauser; Cassandra L. Quave; Kevin Cianfaglione; Andrea Pieroni. The uses of Betula pendula Roth among Hungarian Csángós and Székelys in Transylvania, Romania. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 2014, 83, 113 -122.
AMA StyleNóra Papp, Dóra Czégényi, Anita Hegedűs, Tamás Morschhauser, Cassandra L. Quave, Kevin Cianfaglione, Andrea Pieroni. The uses of Betula pendula Roth among Hungarian Csángós and Székelys in Transylvania, Romania. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 2014; 83 (2):113-122.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNóra Papp; Dóra Czégényi; Anita Hegedűs; Tamás Morschhauser; Cassandra L. Quave; Kevin Cianfaglione; Andrea Pieroni. 2014. "The uses of Betula pendula Roth among Hungarian Csángós and Székelys in Transylvania, Romania." Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 83, no. 2: 113-122.
Due to their isolation and insufficiency of official medical care, the inhabitants of several Transylvanian “Csángó” farms in Romania have valuable archaic knowledge of plants. Such ethnobotanical data reported previously from different regions of the country are available only in Hungarian. Of the various ethnic groups constituting the Csángós’ culture the present study was undertaken to survey those living in the Úz-valley (Romania), focusing on the indigenous human ethnomedicine and ethnoveterinary practices of Csinód, a village in the Eastern Carpathian Mountains. The aim of the study was to summarize the occurrence and diversity of food, medicinal, ornamental and fodder plants, as well as herbal home remedies applied on a daily basis. In the summers of 2007–2009 altogether 85 plant taxa in 13 home gardens were registered, using free interviews with local terminology, concentrating on drug parts, use, origin of knowledge and peculiar magico-mythological procedures associated with the species concerned. Due to the obvious decrease in the villagers’ traditional knowledge the prevention of these data from disappearing has gained primary importance in an effort to preserve this heritage as an integral part of the folk medicinal system in Transylvania.
Nóra Papp; Kata Birkás-Frendl; Ágnes Farkas; Andrea Pieroni. An ethnobotanical study on home gardens in a Transylvanian Hungarian Csángó village (Romania). Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 2012, 60, 1423 -1432.
AMA StyleNóra Papp, Kata Birkás-Frendl, Ágnes Farkas, Andrea Pieroni. An ethnobotanical study on home gardens in a Transylvanian Hungarian Csángó village (Romania). Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 2012; 60 (4):1423-1432.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNóra Papp; Kata Birkás-Frendl; Ágnes Farkas; Andrea Pieroni. 2012. "An ethnobotanical study on home gardens in a Transylvanian Hungarian Csángó village (Romania)." Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 60, no. 4: 1423-1432.
In this article we review the use of tree saps in northern and eastern Europe. Published accounts by travellers, ethnologists and ethnobotanists were searched for historical and contemporary details. Field observations made by the authors have also been used. The presented data shows that the use of tree sap has occurred in most north and eastern European countries. It can be assumed that tree saps were most used where there were extensive stands of birch or maple trees, as these two genera generally produce the largest amount of sap. The taxa most commonly used have been Betula pendula, B. pubescens, and Acer platanoides, but scattered data on the use of several other taxa are presented. Tree sap was used as a fresh drink, but also as an ingredient in food and beverages. It was also fermented to make light alcoholic products like ale and wine. Other folk uses of tree saps vary from supplementary nutrition in the form of sugar, minerals and vitamins, to cosmetic applications for skin and hair and folk medicinal use. Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are the only countries where the gathering and use of sap (mainly birch sap) has remained an important activity until recently, due to the existence of large birch forests, low population density and the incorporation of sap into the former Soviet economic system. It is evident that gathering sap from birch and other trees was more widespread in earlier times. There are records indicating extensive use of tree saps from Scandinavia, Poland, Slovakia and Romania, but it is primarily of a historical character. The extraction of tree sap in these countries is nowadays viewed as a curiosity carried out only by a few individuals. However, tree saps have been regaining popularity in urban settings through niche trading.
Ingvar Svanberg; Renata Sõukand; Łukasz Łuczaj; Raivo Kalle; Olga Zyryanova; Andrea Dénes; Nóra Papp; Anely Nedelcheva; Daiva Šeškauskaitė; Iwa Kołodziejska; Valeria Kolosova. Uses of tree saps in northern and eastern parts of Europe. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 2012, 81, 343 -357.
AMA StyleIngvar Svanberg, Renata Sõukand, Łukasz Łuczaj, Raivo Kalle, Olga Zyryanova, Andrea Dénes, Nóra Papp, Anely Nedelcheva, Daiva Šeškauskaitė, Iwa Kołodziejska, Valeria Kolosova. Uses of tree saps in northern and eastern parts of Europe. Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae. 2012; 81 (4):343-357.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIngvar Svanberg; Renata Sõukand; Łukasz Łuczaj; Raivo Kalle; Olga Zyryanova; Andrea Dénes; Nóra Papp; Anely Nedelcheva; Daiva Šeškauskaitė; Iwa Kołodziejska; Valeria Kolosova. 2012. "Uses of tree saps in northern and eastern parts of Europe." Acta Societatis Botanicorum Poloniae 81, no. 4: 343-357.