Resumo As samambaias são frequentemente usadas pelos indígenas em Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Este estudo foi desenhado para coletar o conhecimento etnomedicinal e tradicional desses moradores sobre este grupo de plantas vasculares. Quarenta táxons pertencem a dezenove gêneros, e dez famílias são utilizadas no tratamento de diferentes doenças. Pteridaceae foi a família mais representativa com doze táxons (30%), seguida por Athyriaceae e Dryopteridaceae com seis táxons cada (30%), e Thelypteridaceae com cinco táxons (12,5%). Em relação aos gêneros, Adiantum, Asplenium e Dryopteris ficaram em primeiro lugar com quatro táxons cada (30%), seguidos por Aleuritopteris, Diplazium, Pteris e Equisetum com três táxons cada (30%), e Athyrium, Oeosporangium, Polystichum e Pseudophegopteris com dois táxons cada (20%). Estes táxons foram comumente usados no tratamento de distúrbios respiratórios, isto é, asma, bronquite, enfisema, pneumonia; úlcera intestinal, estômago, doenças urinárias e doenças da pele pelos métodos de decocção e infusão. O conhecimento tradicional sobre plantas etnomedicinais é uma fonte valiosa e essencial para a descoberta de medicamentos alopáticos, fitoterápicos e homeopáticos.

Abstract Ferns are often used by indigenous people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. This study was designed to collect the ethnomedicinal and traditional knowledge of these locals about this group of vascular plants. Forty taxa belong to nineteen genera and ten families are used in the treatment of different diseases. The Pteridaceae was the most representative family with twelve taxa (30%), followed by Athyriaceae and Dryopteridaceae with six taxa each (30%), and Thelypteridaceae with five taxa (12.5%). Regarding the genera, Adiantum, Asplenium and Dryopteris ranked first with four taxa each (30%), followed by Aleuritopteris, Diplazium, Pteris and Equisetum with three taxa each (30%), followed by Athyrium, Oeosporangium, Polystichum and Pseudophegopteris with two taxa each (20%). These taxa were commonly used in the treatment of respiratory disorders i.e. asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia; intestinal ulcer, stomach, urinary ailments and skin disorders by the methods of decoction and infusion. Traditional knowledge about ethnomedicinal plants is a valuable and essential source for the discovery of allopathic, herbal and homeopathic medicines.

Resumo As plantas têm profundos benefícios terapêuticos, tratamentos mais econômicos, menos efeitos colaterais e um custo relativamente barato, tornando-as uma fonte de medicamentos para fins protetores, preventivos, curativos ou propícios e criando novos fitomedicamentos. Medicamentos derivados de plantas são relativamente seguros em comparação com medicamentos sintéticos. Muitas plantas provaram ajudar com sucesso no tratamento de diabetes, incluindo Filago hurdwarica (Wall. ex DC.) Wagenitz. As investigações atuais foram, portanto, projetadas para avaliar as atividades fitoquímicas, antioxidantes, antidiabéticas e anti-hiperlipidêmicas de F. hurdwarica. As investigações fitoquímicas e atividades antioxidantes de diferentes extratos foram realizadas usando testes químicos padrão, DPPH e ensaios de eliminação de H2O2. O extrato da planta F. hurdwarica em solução hidrometanólica foi preparado pelo método Soxhletation e armazenado em geladeira a 4 °C por dois dias antes do uso. Camundongos Swiss Albino foram tornados diabéticos por uma única dose de aloxana (150 mg/kg). Extrato de planta hidrometanólica e frações de F. hurdwarica foram rastreados quanto à atividade antidiabética e administrados aos camundongos diabéticos induzidos por aloxana em uma concentração de 150-250 mg/kg de peso corporal em diferentes grupos de 6 camundongos diabéticos cada, por via oral, uma vez ao dia por 15 dias. A glibenclamida também é administrada a outro grupo como medicamento padrão para apoiar o resultado na dose de 10 mg/kg de peso corporal por via oral uma vez ao dia por 15 dias. Os níveis de glicose no sangue e os pesos corporais dos camundongos foram medidos em 0, 4, 7, 11 e 15 dias. O estudo descobriu que o extrato era seguro até o nível de dose de 2.000 mg/kg e o efeito dose-resposta do extrato de clorofórmio (150-250 mg/kg) de F. hurdwarica mostrou efeitos anti-hiperglicêmicos expressivos e também melhorou outros parâmetros bioquímicos alterados associados com diabete. Os espectros de FTIR e DRX demonstraram a ocorrência de fenóis, álcoois, alcenos, haletos de alquila, cetonas e compostos aromáticos e confirmaram a natureza amorfa do extrato. A análise espectral por GC-MS mostrou a presença tentativa de 31 constituintes fitoquímicos no extrato clorofórmio de F. hurdwarica com diferentes tempos de retenção. Para concluir, o extrato de clorofórmio (250 mg/kg) de F. hurdwarica revelou considerável potencial antioxidante, anti-hiperglicêmico e anti-hiperlipidêmico e é seguro para o tratamento de diabetes e complicações relacionadas.

Abstract Plants have profound therapeutic benefits, more economical treatments, fewer side effects, and a relatively cheap cost, making them a source of drugs for protective, preventative, curative, or conducive purposes and creating novel phytomedicines. Plant derived medicines are relatively safe compared to synthetic medicines. Many plants have proved to successfully aid in the treatment of diabetes including Filago hurdwarica (Wall. ex DC.) Wagenitz. The current investigations were therefore designed to assess the phytochemical, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antihyperlipidemic activities of F. hurdwarica. The phytochemical investigations and antioxidant activities of different extracts were carried out using standard chemical tests, DPPH, and H2O2 scavenging assays. F. hurdwarica plant extract in Hydromethanolic solution were prepared by Soxhletation method and stored in refrigerator at 4°C for two days before use. Swiss Albino mice were made diabetic by a single dose of alloxan (150 mg/kg). Hydromethanolic plant extract and fractions of F. hurdwarica were screened for antidiabetic activity and given to the alloxan-induced diabetic mice at a concentration of 150-250 mg/kg of body weight in different groups of 6 diabetic mice each orally once a day for 15 days. Glibenclamide is also given to another group to as a standard drug to support the result at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight orally once a day for 15 days. Blood glucose levels and body weights of mice were measured on 0, 4, 7, 11 and 15th days. The study found that the extract was safe up to the dose level of 2000 mg/kg and the dose response effect of chloroform extract (150-250 mg/kg) of F. hurdwarica showed expressive antihyperglycemic effects and also improved other altered biochemical parameters associated with diabetes. The FTIR and XRD spectra demonstrated the occurrence of phenols, alcohols, alkenes, alkyl halides, ketones, and aromatic compounds and confirmed the amorphous nature of the extract. GC-MS spectral analysis showed the tentative presence of 31 phytochemical constituents in the chloroform extract of F. hurdwarica with different retention time. To conclude, the chloroform extract (250 mg/kg) of F. hurdwarica revealed considerable antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, and antihyperlipidemic potential and is safe for treating diabetes and related complications.

Resumo A medicina tradicional é mais barata e facilmente disponível à população local para cuidar das doenças mais frequentes nas áreas do norte do Paquistão. Nosso estudo teve como objetivo inventariar medicamentos de plantas locais, documentar seus usos e avaliar seu valor de mercado em 2015-2018 durante as temporadas de primavera, verão e inverno. Foram feitas 15 viagens, 5 em cada temporada. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 165 moradores na faixa etária de 20 a 80 anos, com dados analisados por meio de frequência relativa de citação (RFC), valor de uso (UV), nível de fidelidade (FL), fator de consenso de informantes (CIF), e o índice de Jaccard (JI) para encontrar as espécies utilizadas mais frequentes e conhecidas na área. Um total de 86 espécies pertencentes a 39 famílias de plantas vasculares, 33 gêneros foram documentados como medicamente importantes. A família Asteraceae foi observada como a família dominante entre todas as famílias com 10 espécies, a folha foi a parte mais utilizada e a decocção 36% foi o tipo de preparação mais preferido. A erva foi a forma de vida predominante (67%). O UV máximo (0,92) foi demonstrado pelas espécies de J. adhatoda L., enquanto A. sativum L. mostra RFC máximo (0,58), o maior valor de ICF representado por diarreia e dermatite 0,92, e alto valor de FL é registrado 100%. De acordo com nossas coleções, as espécies selvagens foram 45%, as espécies invasoras 38% e as cultivadas 17% registradas, as espécies dicotiledôneas foram registradas mais 81%. Sete espécies medicinais estão sendo economicamente importantes e exportadas para o mercado local e internacional do mundo, enquanto as espécies de P. integrima L. foram as espécies mais exportadas de acordo com os comerciantes locais. A área investigada é rural e a população local depende das plantas da área para suas necessidades de saúde e outros usos como vegetal, lenha, forragem etc. O resultado atual de RFC, UV, ICF, FL e JI mostra que a flora medicinal precisa ser investigada farmacológica e fitoquimicamente para comprovar sua eficácia. A documentação do conhecimento medicinal é importante para preservar esse precioso conhecimento antigo antes que se perca para sempre, devido às mudanças tecnológicas e ambientais do mundo.

Abstract Traditional medicine is cheaper and easily available to local people, to care for most frequent diseases in the Northern parts of Pakistan. Our study aimed at inventorying medicine from local plants, documenting their uses, and assessing their market value in 2015-2018 during spring, summer, and winter seasons. A total of 15 trips were made, 5 in each season. Semi-structured interviews with 165 inhabitant’s age range between 20-80 years were conducted, analyzed the data is analyzed using Relative frequency of citation(RFC), Use Value(UV), Fidelity Level(FL), Informants consensus factor(ICF), and Jaccard index(JI) to find the most frequent and well-known used species in the area. A total of 86 species belonging to 39 vascular plant families, 33 genera were documented as medicinally important. Family Asteraceae was observed as the dominant family among all the families with 10 species, the leaf was the most used parts and decoction 36% was the most preferred preparation type. Herb was the predominant life form (67%). The maximum UV (0.92) was demonstrated by J. adhatoda L. species, while A. sativum L. shows maximum RFC (0.58), the highest ICF value represented by diarrhea and dermatitis 0.92, and high FL value is recorded 100%. According to our collections, wild species were 45%, invasive species were 38% and cultivated 17% recorded, dicots species were recorded more 81%. Seven 7 medicinal species is being economically important and export to the local and international market of the world, whereas P. integrima L. species were the most exported species according to the local dealers. The investigated area is rural and the local people depend on the area's plants for their health needs, and other uses like a vegetable, fuelwood, fodder, etc. The current result of RFC, UV, ICF, FL, and JI shows that medicinal flora needs to be pharmacologically and phytochemically investigated to prove their efficacy. The documentation of medicinal knowledge is important to preserve this precious old knowledge before it is lost forever, due to technological and environmental changes in the world.

In seventeenth and eighteenth-century Europe, the Age of Enlightenment, eminent political and legal thinkers such as Locke and Rousseau defended the emancipation of the individual and the inalienable, natural rights of man such as the right to life, freedom and equality. They argued that every man is born free and inherently good but that he becomes corrupted by the constraints of society and civilisation. A certain harmony can be found again through a social contract with the state, the ultimate protector of man's inalienable rights. Within this philosophy, education is crucial to develop young people naturally without the negative impact of society. Only nature can elevate man. Enlightenment opened European minds to the exotic and the unknown and, as a consequence, broke with the prejudice of previous centuries against cultural difference. Enlightenment influenced many free-spirits of the day. One such free-spirit was the Frenchman Francois Le Vaillant who travelled through southern Africa between 1781 and 1784. He was not only influenced by the ideas of Rousseau but he was, because of his unusual and liberal education, the very incarnation of Rousseau's philosophy. As he travelled through Southern Africa, Le Vaillant became mesmerised with its indigenous peoples, especially the roaming Koina communities and the Xhosa, who, at that time, still lived a traditional and natural life. Even though he set off on his journeys as an ornithologist and a collector of specimens, Le Vaillant became, as he encountered the Koina and the Xhosa, a defender of the inalienable rights of the natural man. He became an emotional critic of encroachment by colonial settlers upon indigenous lands, forcing the Koina and the Xhosa into poverty, economic dependency, cultural alienation and loss of natural life. Le Vaillant published two travel journals; he introduced a new style of travel writing and made the European reader familiar with southern Africa. In doing so, he played a significant role in the defense of human rights through his criticism of the effects of colonial rule on indigenous peoples, not from an academic point of view but from the heart, based on first-hand experience in the field.