This study assessed the floristic composition, endemism, and conservation status of three relict Polylepis forests ("queñua") in Oyón, Peru, located between 4000 and 4500 m a.s.l. A total of 150 vascular plant species were recorded, belonging to 100 genera and 47 families. Asteraceae (52 spp.) and Poaceae (17 spp.) were the most diverse, while herbs dominated the life-form spectrum (73%). Species richness decreased significantly with elevation (R 2 = 0.86, p Polylepis incana (CR) and Senecio nutans (VU). These findings identify lower-elevation relicts as critical biodiversity hotspots, likely sustained by milder microclimates and greater habitat heterogeneity. However, ongoing threats from fragmentation, logging, and grazing jeopardize their persistence. Therefore, site-specific conservation strategies that prioritize these lower-altitude hotspots are urgently required.

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Introduction This study focuses on the central mountain region of the Peruvian Andes, particularly its western slopes, high-altitude areas, and inter-Andean valleys situated above 3000 m.a.s.l. Despite its ecological importance, the region remains understudied, resulting in significant information gaps. Objective To identify flora species along an altitudinal gradient in the Cajatambo district. Methods Sampling was carried out at five distinct altitudinal levels using a combination of sampling techniques. Taxonomic identification was performed, and statistical analyses including ANOVA, the Mantel test, and NMDS were applied. Results 424 plant species were identified, revealing the dominance of Asteraceae. The approach used allowed for the identification of floristic and structural patterns in various habitats, ranging from arid montane scrub to puna grassland. Surprisingly, Asteraceae richness had a significant impact on species diversity, while altitude did not. Additionally, floristic similarity between nearby altitudinal levels was not related to geographical distance. The analysis of ecosystems has shown that certain families are adaptable. Additionally, floristic diversity has been affected by human activity near the district capital. The distribution of medicinal species has been limited due to selective extraction. Conclusions The shrubland and thorny scrub was the most diverse ecosystem and had the widest distribution across the altitudinal gradient.

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Globally, more than six million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi , the causative protozoan parasite of the vector-borne Chagas disease (CD). We conducted a cross-sectional ethnopharmacological field study in Bolivia among different ethnic groups where CD is hyperendemic. A total of 775 extracts of botanical drugs used in Bolivia in the context of CD and botanical drugs from unrelated indications from the Mediterranean De Materia Medic a compiled by Dioscorides two thousand years ago were profiled in a multidimensional assay uncovering different antichagasic natural product classes. Intriguingly, the phylobioactive anthraquinone hotspot matched the antichagasic activity of Senna chloroclada , the taxon with the strongest ethnomedical consensus for treating CD among the Izoceño-Guaraní. Testing common 9,10-anthracenedione derivatives in T. cruzi cellular infection assays demarcates hydroxyanthraquinone as a potential antichagasic lead scaffold. Our study systematically uncovers in vitro antichagasic phylogenetic hotspots in the plant kingdom as a potential resource for drug discovery based on ethnopharmacological hypotheses.

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Background Current recommendations for the self-management of SARS-Cov-2 disease (COVID-19) include self-isolation, rest, hydration, and the use of NSAID in case of high fever only. It is expected that many patients will add other symptomatic/adjuvant treatments, such as herbal medicines. Aims To provide a benefits/risks assessment of selected herbal medicines traditionally indicated for "respiratory diseases" within the current frame of the COVID-19 pandemic as an adjuvant treatment. Method The plant selection was primarily based on species listed by the WHO and EMA, but some other herbal remedies were considered due to their widespread use in respiratory conditions. Preclinical and clinical data on their efficacy and safety were collected from authoritative sources. The target population were adults with early and mild flu symptoms without underlying conditions. These were evaluated according to a modified PrOACT-URL method with paracetamol, ibuprofen, and codeine as reference drugs. The benefits/risks balance of the treatments was classified as positive , promising , negative , and unknown . Results A total of 39 herbal medicines were identified as very likely to appeal to the COVID-19 patient. According to our method, the benefits/risks assessment of the herbal medicines was found to be positive in 5 cases ( Althaea officinalis, Commiphora molmol, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedera helix , and Sambucus nigra ), promising in 12 cases ( Allium sativum , Andrographis paniculata , Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Eucalyptus globulus essential oil , Justicia pectoralis, Magnolia officinalis , Mikania glomerata , Pelargonium sidoides , Pimpinella anisum , Salix sp, Zingiber officinale ), and unknown for the rest. On the same grounds, only ibuprofen resulted promising, but we could not find compelling evidence to endorse the use of paracetamol and/or codeine. Conclusions Our work suggests that several herbal medicines have safety margins superior to those of reference drugs and enough levels of evidence to start a clinical discussion about their potential use as adjuvants in the treatment of early/mild common flu in otherwise healthy adults within the context of COVID-19. While these herbal medicines will not cure or prevent the flu, they may both improve general patient well-being and offer them an opportunity to personalize the therapeutic approaches.

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The methanol extract of Huira-Huira (Culcitium canescens) showed analgesic effects in acetic acid-induced writhing and tail pressure tests, and it also produced potent prolongation of hypnosis induced by pentobarbital. The latter activity was used as an isolation-guide to determine the active components which were identified as dehydrocacalohastine, cacalohastine and cacalonol.

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Ülke: Peru

Taxon: Culcitium canescens

Referans: Altschul

Kaynak: James A. Duke