Evidence of Antimicrobial, Toxicity, and Antioxidant Properties of Selected Plants Based on Ethnomedicinal Practices in The Eastern Highlands of Nepal

Abstract

Evidence-based ethnomedicine is the study of the comparison of traditional medicine based on bioactive compounds in plants.  The current study aimed to record the medicinal plants used by the Tamang people of Udayapurgadhi Rural Municipality, Udayapur, Nepal, and performed some bioactivity to reveal the scientific basis of their use. Data were collected by observation of study areas and interviews (N=61) and group discussions (N=7) with local people. Of the plants using by ethnic communities, extracts of two species Clerodendrum viscosum and Iresine herbestii were investigated for antimicrobial tests, cytotoxicity, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and DPPH free radical assay for antioxidant properties. Altogether, 25 plant species (21 Family) as traditional medicine were found to be used for 19 human illnesses by the Tamang people. A very strong antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts was observed with Clerodendrum viscosum and Iresine herbestii. The antimicrobial test was slightly positive, while the cytotoxicity test was negative. Traditional medicine systems and their scientific evaluation are essential to create reliable alternative medicinal approaches to human welfare.