Abstract Book - 3rd International Symposium on Medicinal Plants ...

2.16 Survey of Medicinal Plants From arid Land of Khushab, Punjab,
Pakistan
QURESHI, R 1 ., SHAHEEN, H 1 ., MAQSOOD, M 1 ., AKRAM, A 1 . and GULFRAZ,
M 2 .
1 Department of Botany, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Murree Road, Rawalpindi,
Pakistan. 2 Department of Biochemistry, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Murree
Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
<strong>Abstract</strong>: The aim of present study was to record medicinal uses of native plants by the
inhabitants of Khushab. For this purpose, the whole area was surveyed during August 2010 to May
2011 and local people including herbalists (Hakeems) and midwives (Daai) were interviewed using a
semi-structured questionnaire. The area sustains good proportion of medicinal plants and a total of
87 plant species have been found to use as a source of natural medicine. These species were
altogether used to treat about 69 different ailments/diseases. Constipation was found the most
prevalent disease in the area and most of the species (20, 6.39%) were used to treat that complaint.
It was followed by pimples (16 spp., 5.11%), jaundice (15 spp., 4.79%), boils (14 spp., 4.47%),
stomach problem (13 spp., 4.15%), blood purifier (12 spp., 3.83%) and gas trouble (11 spp., 3.51%),
liver tonic, skin itching (10 spp., 3.19% each). With reference to conservation status, 68 species were
commonly observed in the study area, however 60 species were very commonly seen. All parts of
plants were employed for the preparation of medicament with different proportion.
Key words: Khushab, medicinal plants, Pakistan, survey.
2.17 The Use of Folkloric Botanical Extracts as Topical Skin Lightening
Agents
Saja Hamed 1 , Hatim AlKhatib 2 , Yasser Bustanji 2 , Fatma Afifi 2 , and
Mohammad Mohammad 2
1 Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan. 2 Faculty of Pharmacy,
University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
<strong>Abstract</strong>: Skin-lightening is a common practice among women living in Jordan that is reinforced
by a number of perceived benefits associated with having a lighter skin tone. Main reasons for use
were preference of lighter skin tone, the treatment of hyperpigmentary disorders or both. Melanin
overproduction characterized a number of skin pigmentary disorders (i.e. melasma, freckles, and
postinflammatory hyperpigmentation) which have a significant impact on subject‟s psychosocial
status since they are common on sun-exposed areas of the face and the neck. Various treatments
are available in the market, but none are completely satisfactory due to safety and/or overall
effectiveness drawbacks. Thus, identification of new depigmenting agents especially of plant origin
is an active research area that is reinforced by the belief that plant extracts have relatively lower
side effects than synthetic chemicals. Thus, we attempted to assess our local herbs in Jordan to
evaluate their depigmenting effectiveness. The plants prescribed by the local Attarin (herbalists) or
found in local folkloric medicine books for treating hyperpigmentary problems were purchased and
aqueous plant extract was prepared for each powdered plant by extracting 50 gm of powdered
plant with distilled water at 60C o for 2 hours. Tyrosinase; the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin
production, was targeted during the screening process. The effect of these plant extracts on
mushroom tyrosinase activity as well as on B16-F1 melanoma tyrosinase was determined
spectrophotometrically using previously published methodology after modifications and validation
using known anti-tyrosinase inhibitors (Kojic acid & extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra) which are well
known to inhibit mushroom tyrosinase. The majority of the tested plant extracts exhibited well to
excellent tyrosinase inhibition efficacy. Of the 24 extracts examined, 13 showed over 50%
inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase at a used volume of 120µl. Based on our screening assay, many
locally used plants have the potential to be used in ameliorating localized hyperpigmentation
problems.
Key words: Botanical extracts, folkloric, skin lightening agents.
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