Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-018-0210-0 Chinese Medicine

REVIEW Open Access Indigenous medicinal plants of Pakistan used to treat skin diseases: a review Alamgeer1*, Amber Sharif1, Hira Asif1, Waqas Younis1, Humayun Riaz2, Ishfaq Ali Bukhari3 and Asaad Mohamed Assiri4

Abstract Ethno‑pharmacological relevance: Plants are providing reliable therapy since time immemorial. Pakistan has a great diversity in medicinal fora and people use these ethno-medicines to deal with many skin problems. This review explores the fundamental knowledge on various dermatological properties of medicinal plants of Pakistan and is aimed to provide a baseline for the discovery of new plants having activities against skin issues. Material and method: A total of 244 published articles were studied using diferent research engines like PubMed, Google, Google-scholar and science direct. Results: Review of literature revealed ethno-pharmacological use of 545 plant species, belonging to 118 families and 355 genera, to combat various skin ailments. Out of these, ten most commonly used plant species belonging to ten diferent families are documented in this review. It was also found out that ehno-medicines are prepared using vari- ous parts of the plants including leaves (28.32%), whole plant and roots 13.17% and 10.97% respectively, in the form of powder (23.5%) and paste (22.75%). A total of 13 endangered plant species and ten commercially important plants were recorded. Conclusion: Medicinal plants of Pakistan have therapeutic efects against several skin problems; however most of medicinal plants are still not evaluated scientifcally to support their ethno-pharmacological claim on skin. Derma- tological pathogens are recommended to study. Further, the conservational programs should be established for endangered species. Keywords: Medicinal fora, Skin problems, Ethno-medicine, Dermatological pathogens

Background folklore and traditional medicines [2]. Te origin of the History of natural products is as old as human civili- word “Ethnobotany” is accredited to US ethnobotanist zations and so is the Indigenous knowledge, which is “John Harshberger” who described and explained the handed down to the people from their ancestors through relationship between people and plants they use in a verbal communication; people have been living in close culture in 1895 [1, 3]. In Sub-continent, Rig Veda (4500– association with plants since time immemorial [1]. Te 1600 BC) compiled frst record of ethno-medicine [4]. purpose of standardizing traditional remedies is, obvi- In ancient times, natural products were successfully ously, to ensure therapeutic efcacy of medicinal plants; used to treat diferent ailments owing to their enhanced whereas the value of ethno-medicinal information in acceptability in human society, better compatibility with modern pharmacology lies in the development of new the body and their natural power to treat ailment via syn- drugs. Some modern drugs have been deducted from ergistic efects and neutralizing combinations to lessen adverse efects [5]. Medicinal plants are better as com- pared to synthetic drugs because of minimal adverse *Correspondence: [email protected]; [email protected] reactions [6, 7]. Medicinal plants (trees, shrubs, grasses 1 Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research and Integrative Pharmacology, or vines) can be used in diferent forms [8] like extracts, College of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan Full list of author information is available at the end of the article

© The Author(s) 2018. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creat​iveco​mmons​.org/licen​ses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creat​iveco​mmons​.org/ publi​cdoma​in/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 2 of 26

in fresh or powdered form, seeds, fruits, vegetable mix- diseases specifcally in developing countries, due to the tures, etc. [9]. fact that health care workers lack training in skin care According to an estimate, earth carries 265,000 spe- and skin diseases, which have been of major concern, cies of plants but only half of these are yet investigated recently, due to their association with the Human Immu- for their medicinal values and chemical composition. nodefciency Virus and Acquired Immunity Defciency In developing countries, around 80% of the population Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) [26]. Since human civilization, depends upon medicinal plants for combating difer- plants are used to treat major skin issues like wounds, ent diseases but this was estimated about a decade ago cuts and burns [27]. In a study, it was documented that [10, 11] while in developed countries, 60% of the popu- 80% of the Indian population uses ethno-medicines to lation uses these plants [6], 40–50% of the population in deal with skin problems and 50% of the medicinal plants Germany, 42% in the USA, 48% in Australia and 49% in used against skin problems are restricted to forest [28]. France depends upon plants for diferent health issues Tis review is an attempt to summarize utmost possi- [12]. Importance of these medicinal plants can be judged ble information on ethno-medicines and pharmacology by the fact that at least 25% of the drugs enlisted in mod- of the plants used in Pakistan to cure skin diseases. Tis ern Pharmacopoeia are of plant origin [5]. Also about study was aimed to investigate the ethno-medicinal uses 25% of the medical prescriptions are based on the sub- of the plants of Pakistan to treat various skin conditions. stances or analogs of the substances of plant origin [13]. We were interested in gathering the answers of the fol- Pakistan occupies 80,943 km2 area and lies between lowing questions in particular: Which plant species are 60°55′ to 75°30′ E longitude and 23°45′ to 36°50′ N lati- most commonly used traditionally for skin problems? tude [14], and has altitude ranges from 0 to 8611 m Which skin conditions are most commonly treated using with a mixed climate zones; has a large biodiversity of ethno-medicine? Which parts of medicinally important the medicinal plants. Pakistan is blessed with 6000 spe- fora of Pakistan are used against skin diseases? What are cies of higher plants, of which 600–700 are used medici- the recipes for preparing and applying the ethno-medi- nally [15], out of these 6000 species, half (3000 species) cines? Above all, the review will identify gaps in the cur- are reported from Northern areas out of which 124 spe- rent knowledge that will provide a baseline for further cies have medicinal importance [16, 17], 4940 fower- research activities. Also, the review is aimed to highlight ing plants are native to Pakistan (if cultivated fowering the area of Pakistan still need to be investigated. species are included fgure turns 5738) [14]. Unfortu- nately only 10% of the total plant species in Pakistan have reported medicinal values [18]. Data collection and analysis In Pakistan, a large population uses folk medicines Published papers were retrieved from the online biblio- and it has become a defnite part of its cultural heritage graphical database latest till June 2015, search engines [19]. In early 1950s, most of the health concerned issues included: PubMed, Google, Google.scholar, IUNCredlist, were treated using traditional indigenous experiences by druginfosys and sciencedirect. Inside the database, we more than 84% of the population of Pakistan but now this used the keywords like traditional plants for skin, eth- practice is limited to only remote areas of the country nobotany of Pakistan, ethno-medicine, traditional uses [6, 20, 21]. In 1958, Hocking also reported same percent of plants, indigenous plant knowledge, plants used in (84%) of Pakistan population depending upon traditional ethno-pharmacology. While reviewing the literature, medicinal plants for treating diferent ailments. In 1983, focus was on the plants with the potential traditional 63% of the population in Pakistan, especially in villages, usage against various diseases of skin. In total, 244 arti- was reported to use herbal medicines prescribed by cles on Indigenous plants of Pakistan published in Eng- the traditional prescribers [22]. Knowledge on the use lish language were reviewed for this study for the period of medicinal plants is enormous but if this traditional March 2015 to December 2017. Articles selected for this knowledge is not rapidly researched and recorded, indi- review contain plants that were (i) native to Pakistan with cations are that it will be lost with succeeding generations some wide distribution (ii) traditionally used in Pakistan [23]. for treating skin diseases; only those plants were selected Skin, the most diverse organ of the human body, is very that have ethno-pharmacological evidence for skin treat- important for aesthetic reasons and health issues. Skin ment. A master document was formulated enlisting diseases not only give unfavorable looks but also pushes indigenous medicinal plants of Pakistan used by the local the patient into psychic conditions [24]. It has been esti- inhabitants for the treatment of several skin ailments. mated that skin diseases account for 34% of all occupa- Master list constituted vernacular name of the medicinal tional disease [25]. Despite of all the developments in the plants along with the family name, part used, mode of medical science, it is still complicated to manage skin preparation, life form and skin conditions against which Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 3 of 26

the plant is being used. All the data were summarized distribution of plants and their families in diferent into 6 tables and 9 fgures. regions of Pakistan, according to their use in skin con- As this review is written after consulting a large num- ditions is shown in Fig. 1. ber of articles, only references are provided in it due to vey diversifed data. Te data collected were grouped into 26 categories on Medicinally important families and genus against skin the basis of skin conditions; 28 categories based on fami- ailments lies plant belong to; 7 categories based on mode of prepa- A total number of 118 families were studied and out ration of medicine, 30 categories based on the part used, of them 10 families were documented in this review. 9 categories based on habit of plants and 6 categories Among these families, Asteraceae (8.99%) is the most based on the region the plant grows. commonly used family followed by Fabaceae (4.58%), Plants reported in more than one region of Pakistan Poaceae (3.73%), Laminaceae and Ranunculaceae were enlisted only once for making the fnal list of medic- (3.39% each), Rosaceae (3.22%), Euphorbiaceae and inal plants. Conservation status was evaluated following Solanaceae (3.05%), Polygonaceae (2.88%), Boraginaeae IUCN red list categories version 3.1 and the herbal prod- (2.71%), Papilionaceae and Amaranthaceae (2.37% ucts registered in Pakistan and economical importance of each), Apocynaceae (2.20%), Cucurbitaceae and Mal- the plants was estimated by consulting druginfosys.com vaceae (1.86.5% each), Chenopodiaceae, Salicaceae and scientifc literature respectively. and Liliaceae (1.69% each), Apiaceae and Brassicaceae (1.52% each), Moraceae, Scrophulariaceae and Zygo- Taxonomic problems phyllaceae (1.35% each) Capparidaceae, Convolvulaceae Several taxonomic problems were observed in the devel- and Rutaceae (1.18% each), Cyperaceae, Rhamnaceae, opment of this manuscript. Entirely, we documented 10 Saxifragaceae and Tamaricaceae (1.01% each) and some plant species most frequently used by the people of Paki- other 87 families (30.39%). stan against skin diseases, there were some spelling mis- Te results, in terms of percentage, of commonly used takes in family names, botanical names, publication and families are represented in Fig. 2. authors, which were also verifed according to “http:// Asteraceae holds the top position among the fami- www.googl​e.com”, “ http://www.tropi​cos.org” and “http:// lies used in ethno-medicines which indicates the pres- www.plant​list.org”. ence of efective bioactive ingredients in the members of this family [29]. Lamiaceae and Asteraceae are the Results and discussion most frequently used families in ethno-medicine [30]. It Te present review revealed ethno-medicinal use of 545 was reported that Asteraceae family is the most diverse plant species belonging to 118 families and 355 genera to family found in all the habitat and regions except in Ant- cure various skin diseases, 10 plant species belonging to arctica and it was not a new fnding about Asteraceae diferent genera and families which were most commonly family holding highest position among the traditionally used in diferent regions of Pakistan against several skin important families, it was further concluded that this ailments are documented in this review (Table 1). prevalence is due to high quantities of active secondary metabolites present in this family and also because this Distribution of plants in diferent regions of Pakistan family includes a large number of species [31]. Pakistan holds rich diversity of medicinal plants used Euphorbia is the genera having highest number of spe- against various ailments. Te present review reported cies (11 ssp.) used to fght skin problems followed by 545 plants from diferent regions of Pakistan being Artemisia with 9 ssp., Ficus and Salix (8 ssp. each), Sola- ethno-medicinally used for treating various skin prob- num (7 ssp.), Impatiens, Polygonum, Rumax, Saussurea, lems. Majority of 278 plants were reported from Punjab Ziziphus (6 ssp. each), Clematis, Datura, Tamarix, Verno- belonging to 78 families followed by 204 plants from nia (5 ssp. each), 15 genera with 4 ssp., 23 genera with 3 Gilgit from 73 families, 201 from Kashmir belonging ssp., 72 genera with 2 ssp. and 224 genera with 1 ssp. used to 74 families, 187 from KPK from 73 families, 47 from to combat diferent skin ailments. Sindh from 27 families and 25 from Balochistan belong- Medicinally important genera along with the number ing to 14 families. Many regions are still un-investi- of species used efectively against skin ailments in terms gated; a list of investigated as well as un-investigated of percentage are graphically represented in Fig. 3. areas of Pakistan is given in Table 2. Many of the plants Euphorbia taking the top place in the genera used most and hence families were used in more than one region; frequently in ethno-medicine due to the reason that it those plants and their families were counted just one is the largest genus of family Euphorbiaceae with 1600 time when enlisting for overall plants of Pakistan. Te reported species [32]. Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 4 of 26 - constituent - N -dotriacont-6-ene, glyceryl mono- myrisate, methyl oleolyl-2-phosphate, and glyceryl-1,2-di behenate methyl - capriate-3-phosphate [ 115 ] adeca-3-ol, butyl-3-hydroxypropyl adeca-3-ol, butyl-3-hydroxypropyl butyl) 3-(4 ′ -(6-methyl phthalate, - 4-methyl-7-hy ropan-1-ol, phenyl)p [ 116 ] droxycoumarin Phyto Procerursenyl acetate, proceranol, proceranol, acetate, Procerursenyl Berberine, ß-sitosterol, 4,4-dimethylhex Berberine, ß-sitosterol, - - - - (Aiton) Asclepiadaceae Asclepiadaceae (Aiton) ment modalities [ 92 ] on dermal wounds procera in Guinea pigs [ 93 ] wound healing activitywound of aqueous extract of Calotro Wistar in leaves pis procera rats [ 89 ] and cell induces apoptosis cycle at G2/M phase arrest in human skin melanoma cells [ 90 ] (SK-MEL-2) anti-keloidal properties of pro of Calotropis the latex cera in rabbits [ 91 ] mellitus: traditional treat root extractsroot of Berb royle in rats [ 94 ] royle eris lyceum Pharmacological validation Pharmacological Calotropis of Calotropis Healing potential Anti-hyperbilirubinemic and Anti-hyperbilirubinemic extract procera Calotropis and potential Wound-healing healing in diabetes Wound Wound healing activity of Wound References [ 3 , 40 58 – 64 ] [ 18 , 65 – 67 ] healing, abscess, abscess, healing, ringworm, dog wounds, bitten pustules eczema, skinand pimples, syphi - eruptions, ulcer, boils, lis, burn, dermatitis, infection scabies, and other skin diseases healing, ulcers, ulcers, healing, Boils, Scabies, Pimples Folk claim Folk Leprosy, wound wound Leprosy, Gonorrhea, wound leaves is taken leaves oil and applied the dog bitten over applied wounds applied on wounds the wounds and tied over and used as poultice and ghee” “desi with mixed on points of leprosy pasted is externally applied on wounds and the extractin water is taken in morning treat to boils and pimples scabies, ghee and fried in cow’s is used external over is spread wounds of an epidermis of root and boil the inner cortex oil is used with mustard Ethnoprep (1) Decoction and of stem with castor is mixed (2) Latex sugar is with raw (3) Paste put in oil & are (4) Flowers (5) Crushed leaves warmed are leaves The (6) powdered, (7) Roots are (1) The paste of root and bark of root paste The (1) (2) Crushed bark is soaked (3) Decoction with egg mixed (4) Dried root root (5) Dried powdered external peel wounds (6) For mixed paste (7) Bark powder fr, wp fr, Part used St, bk, lf, sd, rt, sd, St, bk, lf, Rt, st, br, lf, fr lf, Rt, st, br, Habit S S daceae daceae Family - Asclepia Berberi - Akk, Spalmaka, wallow-wort, Sodom apple, Dead Sea apple Kowdach, Kowdach, Berberry, Churku, Ishkeen, Ishkin Ishkein (Urdu), (Shina), Sumbal Common name Common Dasi ak, Milk weed, Sumblu, komal, Sumblu, - List of plants used traditionally against skin conditions used traditionally List of plants cera (Aiton) cera R. Br. Royle Botanical name Calotropis pro Calotropis Berberis lyceum 1 Table no Sr. 1 2 Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 5 of 26 - d -β- - - d d - 3)- O - d d - - d → d → 4)-β- → 3)- O -β- → 2)- O -α- - → 4)-(β- → 4)-(β- → 4)-(β- → 2)- O -β- -glucopyranosyl3β- -glucopyranosyl- d d -glucopyranosyl3β- d glucopyranosyl-(1 - -rhamnopyranosyl-[1 → 3)-oleanolic acid- → 3)-oleanolic acid, d l galactopyranosyl-(1 - -rhamnopyranosyl-(1 -glucopyranoside and d l constituent -α- d - rhamnopyranosyl-(1 -glucopyranosyl3-β-[ O -β- -glucopyranosyl 3β-[ O -β- -rhamnopyranosyl-(1 - → 3)-oleanolic acid-28- d d l l glucopyranuronosyloxy] -glucopyranuronosyloxy] - -glucopyranuronosyloxy]oleanolate, -Rhamnopyranosyl-(1 glucopyranosyluronic glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 28- O -β- glucopyranosyluronic glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 α- acid)- glucopyranosyluronic (1 O -β- d d d glucopyranuronosyloxy] machaerinate, β- machaerinate, β- machaerinate, β- machaerinate, α- [ O -α- [ O -β- 3β[ O glucopyranuronosyloxy] oleanolate, oleanolate, glucopyranuronosyloxy] β- galactopyranosyl (1 galactopyranosyl glucopyranoside, n -hexacos- glucopyranoside, 14-enoic strigmasta-5, acid, 22-dien-3-β-ol, trans-13-docasenoic n -decaniate, n -hexacosanyl, acid, n -hexacos-17-enoic acid and n-hexacos-11-enoic 36, 37-dihy- acid, droxyhenpentacontan-4-one and β- Triacontanol, quercetin, kaempferol, isor kaempferol, quercetin, ′ - hamnetin, 5,7,4 ′ -trihydroxy-3 3,6-dimeth- (3hydroxymethylbutanol) 5,7-dihydroxyfavanone, oxyfavone, 5,4 ′ -dihydroxy-3,6,7-trimethoxy 3 ′ -(γ,γ-dimethyalllyl)-5,7- favone, ′ -trimethoxyfavone, dihydroxy-3,6,4 ′ - 3,5,7,4 ′ -Tetrahydroxyl-3,4 5,4 ′ -dihydroxy- dimethoxyfavone, 6,7-dimethoxyfavone, 5,7-dihy - 4 ′ -dimethoxyfavone, droxy-6, ′ -dimethoxyfavone, 3,5-dihydroxy-7,4 ′ -trimethoxyfavone, 5-hydroxy-3,7,4 ′ - 5 hydroxy-7,4 trimethoxy favone, 6 Hydroxy-3,6,7 dimethoxyfavone, 5,7,4 ′ Trihydroxy- trimethoxyfavone, [ 117 ] 3-methoxyfavone l Oleanolate [ 118 ] Oleanolate Phyto Sakuranetin, leucocynindns, α- - naea viscosa Jacq extract on isolated pathogenic fungi superfcialfrom skin- infec tion [ 95 ] application of plant extract of Dodonaea viscosa used in Ethiopian traditional medicine [ 96 ] plant Dodonaea viscosa var. on Candida Angustifolia HIV-infected albicans from patients [ 97 ] Achyranthes activity of Achyranthes on Epstein- leaves aspera Barr virus activation and two-stage mouse skin [ 98 ] carcinogenesis selected medicinal plants of in traditional treatment in Ethiopia human wounds [ 99 ] activityand antioxidant of in experi - aspera Achyranthes mental burns [ 100 ] healing activity of methanol extract of Achyranthes L. [ 101 ] aspera : an aspera of Achyranthes and indian ethnomedicine, its triterpene acid [ 102 ] - and chemical standardiza tion of an ayurvedic- formu healing wound lation for activity [ 103 ] Pharmacological validation Pharmacological Antifungal activity of Dodo Toxicity studies on dermal Toxicity Antifungal activity of the Cancer chemopreventive chemopreventive Cancer Antibacterial activities of In efcacy wound-healing vivo wound of in vivo Evaluation Anti-herpes virus activities evaluation Pharmacological 67 – 70 ] 71 – 73 ] References [ 40 , 58 60 [ 3 , 36 64 68 cidal, pimples, pimples, cidal, Burn and wound cracked healing, skin,- itch rashes, ing and pustules, allergy Skin eruptions and irritation, abscess and boils, ulcer and other Skin diseases Folk claim Folk Swelling, Germi - Swelling, leprosy, Itching, leprosy, leaves and water is applied and water leaves the extent become to to sticky and then tied on the partefected of the body healing wounds for and bath is takenin water with this water and used for wounds softening of wound Ethnoprep (1) Paste of dried powdered of dried powdered (1) Paste crushed are leaves (2) Fresh (3) Poultice mixed grinded, are (4) Leaves (5) Decoction (6) Dry tied on are leaves (1) Ash of leaves and stem of leaves (1) Ash (2) Juice (3) Decoction of leaves (4) Paste wd, rt,wd, f Part used Wp, Lf, sd, Bk, sd, Lf, Wp, lf, st, sd, wp st, sd, lf, Habit S H thaceae Family Sapindaceae Amaran - Sanatha, Anartirk/ Hanartirk Prickly fower, Prickly fower, Jishkay Common name Common Ghwara-sky, Ghwara-sky, Apang, Puth Kanda, Puth Apang, (continued) vescosa (L.) vescosa Jacq. aspera L. aspera Botanical name Dodonaea Achyranthes Achyranthes Sr. no Sr. 1 Table 3 4 Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 6 of 26 - - d - d -glucopyranoside, syringare d constituent - nol, lirioresinol-A, 5-hydroxymethyl- lirioresinol-A, nol, and β-sitosterol, 2-furaldehyde, [ 121 ] stigmasterol glucopyranoside, quercetin glucopyranoside, glucopyranoside, kaempferol glucopyranoside, 1, 8-cineole, camphor rutinoside, and α-pinine (β-caryophyllene, stearic and isoricinoleic, ricinoleic, ester ricinine, acids, dihydroxystearic arachidic, stearic, of palmitic, form linolenic, linoleic, oleic, hexadecenoic, ricinoleic (89.4%) and dihydroxy ergost—en-3-ol,stearic acids, stig - and fucosterol; Y-sitosterol, masterol, [ 120 ] probucol 1.8-cineole, α-pinene, calarene, calarene, 1.8-cineole, α-pinene, Limonene, Terpinene- βPhellandrene, 3-Carene, Isoledene, 4-ol, sabinene, and Cymen-8-ol β-Pinene Humulene, [ 119 ] O -β- O kaempferol-3- kaempferol-3- O -β- quercetin-3- Xylopyranoside, O -β O -β-rutinoside and quercetin-3- Phyto Enzyl- O -β- Nériine, digitoxigénine, Amorphane, Amorphane, digitoxigénine, Nériine, Ricinine, N -demethylricinine, glycosides compounds isolated from from compounds isolated ( Carthamussafower tinctorius L.) Seeds for melanogenesis [ 110 ] and melanin formation inhibitory activities of carthamus isolated yellow Carthamusfrom tinctorius L. [ 111 ] a on mouse skinfor yellow induced by photoaging irradiationultraviolet [ 112 ] tory, anti-apoptotic, and skin anti-apoptotic, tory, properties of regenerative extractan Aloe vera-based of Nerium oleander leaves [ 104 ] rmatologic importancermatologic [ 105 ] medicinal plants Palestinian against acne-inducing bacteria [ 106 ] antioxidant, cytotoxicity, and anti-infammatory activities of Ricinus- com munis (Euphorbiaceae) Leaf Extracts [ 107 ] medicine Toba in traditional of para - the treatment for and skinsitosis disorders Argentina) Chaco, (Central [ 108 ] and ricinus communis extracts on histamine and carrageenan-induced infammation in the chicken skin [ 109 ] Pharmacological validation Pharmacological Inhibitory of active efects Kinetic study on the tyrosinase Inhibitory- of hydroxysaf efect Antioxidant, anti-infamma - Antioxidant, Some Nigerian plants of de activityAntimicrobial of In assessment of vitro Natural pharmacopoeia used Efect of Solanum nigrum References [ 17 , 79 ] [ 74 – 78 ] [ 68 ] - sles and eruptive sles and eruptive skin problems leprosy and scaly leprosy skin, Gangrine, maggots infest ing wounds wounds and wounds healing, sores acne, boils, ring - leprosy, worm, swelling, warts removal and other skin diseases Folk claim Folk Chicken mea - pox, Scabies, ulcers, ulcers, Scabies, Freckles, scabies, scabies, Freckles, root and bark root as a poultice seeds and fre warmed over applied Ethnoprep (1) Powder (2) Decoction (3) Paste (4) Juice (1) Oil extracted the from (2) Paste with honey used (3) Leaves (4) Decoction (1) Grinded leaves the (2) Oil obtained from is slightly of leaves (3) Paste Part used Fl, sd, lf sd, Fl, Rt, Lf, Bk,Rt, Br Lf, Wp, Sd, lf, bk, rt lf, Sd, Wp, Habit H S S aceae aceae Family Asteraceae Apocyn - Euphorbi - Tukhmigartum, Safower aera, Gandeera Hurnoli Common name Common Pome, Pong, Pong, Pome, Kaner, Gndeer, Gan - Gndeer, Kaner, Arand, Raned, Arand, (continued) tinctorious L. L. munis L. Botanical name Carthamus Nerium oleander - Riccinus com 1 Table no Sr. 7 5 6 Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 7 of 26 constituent - → 6)-β-glucopyranosyl(1 → 6)-β-ga )-medioresinol (III), scopoletin (II), ( + )-medioresinol (IV), acid (V) tetracosanoic and beta- [ 122 ] sitosterol kaempferol, 3- O -α-rhamnopyranosyl kaempferol, (1 lactopyranosides and Albiziasaponins A, B and C [ 123 ] Phyto )-syringaresinol (I), ( + )-syringaresinol ( + )-pinoresinol Budmunchiamines L1–L3, Quercetin, Budmunchiamines L1–L3, Quercetin, catalpol, aucubin, and acteoside [ 124 ] catalpol, and Ricinus commu - nis extracts on histamine and carrageenan-induced infammation in the chicken skin [ 109 ] the root extractthe root of Albiz - zia lebbeck [ 113 ] extract induces transition of - myof into fbroblasts and increases broblasts of heal - strength tensile ing skin [ 114 ] wounds Pharmacological validation Pharmacological of Solanum nigrum Efect of Solanum nigrum Wound-healing potential of potential Wound-healing lanceolata Plantago L. Water 85 – 88 ] References [ 18 , 78 80 – 83 ] [ 78 , 84 ] [ 3 , 4 66 skin, pimples, as freckles, sun block, ulcer corrosive and suppurating Syphilitic ulcer, ring Pustules, wounds worms, eczema, healing, leukoderma leucoderma, Infam - itching, boils, mations, eruption healing, Skinhealing, infamed sores, surfaces, bruises Folk claim Folk Cosmetics, dried Cosmetics, Wound healing, healing, Wound Wound and burn Wound - ries is applied on the skin applied externally and put on wounds Ethnoprep (2) Poultice (3) Crushed leaves crushed and are (4) Fruits (5) Decoction (1) The juice of the ripenThe ber (1) (1) Dried leaves are smoked are (1) Dried leaves of fower (2) Paste (3) Extract (1) Fresh leaves are mashed are leaves (1) Fresh Lf, st Lf, wd, tr wd, Part used Wp, Ber, lf, Ft, lf, Ber, Wp, Lf, sd, bk, st, sd, f, Lf, Lf, ft, sd, rt ft, sd, Lf, Habit H T H naceae Family Solanaceae Fabaceae - Plantagi - shade Boieko-ligini, Ghwa Isphaghol, jabai Common name Common Mako, Black Night Siris, Shareen Siris, Bar-e-Thang, Bar-e-Thang, (continued) nigrum L. (L.) Benth ceolata L. ceolata Botanical name Solanum Albizia lebbeck Plantago lan - Plantago Sr. no Sr. 1 Table 8 9 10 H, herb; S, stem; T, tree; Bk, bark; Lf, leaf; sd, seed; rt, root; Wp, whole plant; ber, berries; f, fower; br, branch br, fower; berries; f, ber, whole plant; Wp, leaf; Bk, tree; bark; seed; rt, sd, Lf, root; T, H, herb; S, stem; Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 8 of 26

Table 2 Investigated and under-investigated districts for ethno-botanical studies Province Investigated districts for ethno-botanical studies Under-investigated districts for ethno-botanical studies

Punjab Attock, Bahawalnaga, Bahawalpur, Bhakkar, Chakwal, Dera Chiniot, Hfzabad, Khanewal, Okara, Rahim Yar Khan, Sheikhu- Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhang, Jhelum, pura Kasur, Khushab, Mianwali, Multan, Muzafargarh, Narowal, Nankana Sahib, Pakpattan, Rajanpur, Rawalpindi, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sialkot, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Abbottabad, Bannu, Battagram, Buner, Chitral, Dera Ismail Charsadda, Hangu, Mardan, Nowshera, Shangla, Swabi, Tank, Tor Khan, Haripur, Karak, Kohat, Upper Kohistan, Lakki Marwat, Ghar Lower Dir, Malakand, Mansehra, Peshawar, Swat, Upper Dir, Lower Kohstan Sindh Ghotki, Jamshoro, Karachi, Kairpur, Sanghar, Sukkur, Tharparkar, Badin, Dadu, Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Kashmore, Larkana, Matiari, Thatta, Karachi West Mirpurkhas, Naushahro Firoze, Shaheed Benazirabad. Kambar, Shahadkot, Shikarpur, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Umerkot, Sujawal, Karachi Central, Karachi East, Karachi South, Korangi, Malir Sindh Ghanche, Skardu, Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Gilgit, Hunzanagar Kharmang Gilgit Baltistan Muzafarabad, Hattian, Neelum, Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Poonch, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhnati

Common skin diseases in Pakistan Mabona and Vuuren reported wound healing as a most In this review, it was found out that most of the plant frequently treated skin condition using ethno-medicine, species were used to treat more than 1 disease/condition followed by sores or ulcers. Among the medicinal plants of skin. Total 26 skin conditions were reviewed which used to combat wounds, Erythrina genus is used most were treated using ethno-medicine. Most common of frequently in South Africa with 120 species having their them was wound healing (17.064%) followed by boil heal- space in the traditional usage against skin conditions ing (8.72%), postules or pimples (5.83%), eczema (5.01%), particularly in disinfection of wounds. Traditional plants ulcer (4.579%), burn (4.51%), Ringworm (3.889%) and are also used to combat associated condition of wounds scabies (3.889%). including infammation, urticaria, skin allergies, acne, Tese most commonly treated skin conditions men- eczema and psoriasis. Among these associated condi- tioned above are represented graphically in Fig. 4 and tions, eczema is most commonly diagnosed in South total of all the skin conditions treated traditionally are Africa and thus most frequently treated with ethno-med- represented in Fig. 5. icines [34]. Burn, which accounts 4.51% of the skin conditions treated traditionally in Pakistan is a serious issue glob- Habit ally, De Wet et al. reported increased mortality rate due Growing habits of 42.23% plants were not available in the to burn which has contributed to a serious health con- previous articles. Common life forms used by traditional cerned issue globally. In South Africa, burn is one of the healers for the preparation of ethno-medicines include major reasons of deaths among 5–29 years individuals. Trees 9.68%, Shrub 11.52%, Herb 34.72%, Creepers and Ethno-medicines have great potential to cure diferent Climbers 0.5% each, Grass 0.5% (only 3 plants were kind of skin diseases [25, 137]. a grass), Sedges 0.1% (only 1 plant was from sedges) as Some plants cure more than one skin disease, Curcuma shown in Figs. 6 and 7. longa and Melia azaderach are the natural resources for Trees and shrubs are used to prepare majority of herbal curing multiple skin diseases [33, 138]. recipes as they are accessible round the year, followed Tabassum and Hamdani concluded that skin condi- by utilization of herbs which might be related to their tions can be of thousand types but are categorized into easy collection methods, higher abundance and efcacy nine categories based on common diseases; rashes, in curing ailments as compared to other life forms [30]. viral infections, bacterial infections, fungal infections, Khan et al. reported shrubs and trees as most commonly parasitic infections, pigmentation disorder, tumor and used life forms in ethno-medicines due to the their cancer, trauma and other conditions (Wrinkles, spider availability around the year with the minimum seasonal veins and varicose veins) [28]. Tis review revealed that variation [35]. Ahmad et al. stated that herb is used in all these skin conditions are treated traditionally using ethno-medicines due to their abundance and easy availa- etho-medicines. bilty in most of the aresa of the world [36]. Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 9 of 26

Part used 300 Ethno-medicines mostly consisted of plant parts such 250 as leaves, roots, fruits, seeds, fowers, stem, bark and some other parts of the plants listed below. Traditional 200 knowledge on the efectiveness of diferent plant parts

150 No. of plants could have been established through trial and error No. of families basis along with observations such as taste, smell and 100 texture. Tis study revealed that leaves (28.32%) were the most common part of indigenous plants used in 50 diferent preparations of ethno-medicines for the treat- 0 ment of skin diseases followed by whole plant (13.17%), Punjab Gilgit Kashmir KPK SindhBalochistan roots (10.97%), fruits (9.89%), fowers (6.79%), stem Region Fig. 1 Distribution of medicinal plants in diferent regions of Pakistan (5.78%), bark (5.60%), Shoos and latex (1.37% each), aerial parts and wood (1.07% each), branches (0.89%),

40 35 30 25 20 15 10

Percentage of plants 5 0 a a e e e e e e e e ae ae ae ce ce ce Others caceae biacea Poacea Apiaceae Lilia Rutaceae Rosaceae Fabaceae Asterace Moraceae Salicaceae Lamiacea Malvacea Solanaceae Polygonace Brassi Apocynacea Boragina Papilionacea Ranunculacea Cucurbitacea Capparidaceae Eu phor Zygophyllaceae Convolvula Amaranthacea Chenopodiaceae Scrophulariaceae Fig. 2 Families of plants active against skin ailment

2 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6

PERCENTAGE 0.4 0.2 0

GENUS Fig. 3 Common genera used for skin diseases Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 10 of 26

18

e 16 14 12 10 8 6 Percentage usag 4 2 0

Fig. 4 Common skin diseases treated traditionally

Fig. 5 All the skin diseases treated traditionally in Pakistan

Berries (0.77%), rhizomes (0.71%), gum (0.65%), resins Leaves were the most commonly used plant part in and bulb (0.41% each), pod (0.29%), pulp and tubers ethno-medicine, this is due to the ease of processing (0.23% each), milky acrid, nut, inforescent, twigs them into a digestible paste and have less conservational (0.17% each), sap, fronts, trunk (0.11% each), husk and issues than the collection of roots, bark, stem or the gall (0.05% each) (Fig. 8). whole plant and also because leaves does not afect the Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 11 of 26

160 Habit of plants in different regions of Pakistan

140

120

100

80

Percentage 60

40

20

0 UnknownTreeShrub Herb CreeperClimber Fern GrassSedge

BalochistanGilgitKashmir Punjab KPK Sindh Fig. 6 Habit of plants in diferent regions of Pakistan

0.166944908 0.500834725 0.500834725 0.166944908 0.500834725 Unknown

Tree

Shrub 34.7245409 42.23706177 Herb

Creeper

Climber 11.51919866 9.682804674 Fern Grass

Sedge Fig. 7 Habit of plants in Pakistan

life cycle of the plants [29], further the life form of the enriched in these parts. However, their excessive use plant is not efected by the collection of leaves [37] and is detrimental for their survival since whole plant has also due to the reason that leaves contain photosynthate to be uprooted. Not only roots, even the use of more which might have some medicinal value [38]. Ayyanar than one plant part for medicinal purpose has put these and Ignacimuthu reported leaves as most frequently used plants to extinction risk owing to damage inficted on plant part (accounting 50%) to prepare ethno-medicines the plants [40]. in Kani Tribes, India [39]. Whole plant and roots are other frequently used plant parts probably due to bioactive components Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 12 of 26

Frequency of Part used by tradional healers 475 500

400 y 300 221 184166 200 146

Frequenc 1149794 100 2322181815131211 775 443333222 111 0 1

Leaves Whole PlantRoots Fruits Seeds Flowers Stem BarkShootsLatex Aerial partswood BranchesBerries Rhizomes GumResin Bulb PodPulpTubersMilkt acridNut Infloresents Twings Sap FrontsTrunk Husk All parts gall Fig. 8 Part used by traditional healers to prevent diferent skin ailments

Mode of preparation powdered form, 22.7% paste, 16.37% decoction, 12.62% Herbal preparation is made by using diferent plant parts juice, 8.75% poultice, and 8% each extract and infusion like whole plant, leaves, roots, stem, fruits, fowers, barks, and 16.25% were not mentioned in literature. berries and seeds. Diferent modes of preparation of the plants are shown Diferent modes of preparation are used for diferent in Fig. 9. plants by using various parts by the native people; this Te missing information regarding mode of prepa- study showed 23.5% ethno-preparations were used in ration of the ethno-medicine was also reported by

25

20

15

Percentage 10

5

0 Powder PasteDecoconJuice PoulceExtract Infusion Fig. 9 Mode of preparation of plant Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 13 of 26

Farnsworth who indicated the published studies Endangered species include raw list of plants and only a small number of Endangered medicinal plants of Pakistan that have got manuscripts reports the mode of preparation while the their role in treating skin conditions are discussed in rest indicates the part used in treating a particular ail- Table 6. ment [41]. Using the part like roots, rhizomes or bulbs could be a Literature revealed that plants can be used in dif- severe threat for reproduction of medicinal plants of the ferent ethno formulations depending upon the sort area. Te plants collected by using these methods, espe- of skin disease to be treated and the type and part of cially those propagated through rhizome, bulb or corm, plant selected to treat the disease. Te ethno-formula- need sustainable utilization and conservation strategies. tion used for skin condition may include powder, paste, Un-sustainability of harvesting of herbaceous roots is plant juice, ointment, poultice, extract, decoction or well recognized by conservationists and termed such infusion [42, 43]. medicinal plants as highly threatened [40]. Uprooting a Decoction and infusion are frequently used in ethno- plants is the most detrimental method of plant collection, medicine due to the ease of preparation and because if the roots are not removed completely it can also result water is used as a solvent in these formulations, which is in destruction by decreasing water upset and increas- easily available [34]. Felhaber reported that ethno-med- ing susceptibility of fungal infection. Commercialization icines can be given orally or applied topically. Tough is the major cause of extinction of medicinal plants in both the routes can be used but topical application is South Africa which demands over harvesting and thus common as well as efective as it ensures direct contact of has taken natural medicinal resources to near extinction active constituents of plant with the site of action (skin) [45]. and also because it gives a quick relief [44]. Shanwari suggested to establish protocols to interpret the pattern of plant growth and to accelerate the knowl- edge about propagation of medicinal plants and avoiding Combined ethno‑preparation harvesting of wild species in order to save endangered Medicinal plants are used in combination with other species [15]. medicinal plants, with vegetable oils (mustard oil, apri- Aconitum chasmanthus, A. heterophyllumand, A. vio- cot oil etc.) and/or with the nutrients (milk, ghee etc.). laceum, which are native to Pakistan, India and Nepal People of Pakistan still rely on synergistic interactions [46–48], are harvested for their tubers which consti- of plants and supportive components like oil and milk to tute Ayurveda drug and for this reason whole plants are treat skin diseases. uprooted. In 2003 in a CAMP workshop organized at Tese supplement ingredients may be used to enhance India (Shimla), experts agreed that 80% of the wild popu- the efect of the herbal preparations or are simply used to lation of Aconitum chasmanthus had declined and there- make the preparations palatable. And on the other hand fore it is assessed as “critically endangered species”, 70% they improve the healing conditions; however, the exact of that of A. heterophyllum had declined and it is assessed role of these materials in curing the diseases is not clearly as “endangered” while 40% decline of the population of known [29]. A. violaceum has made it a “vulnerable” specie to become A number of plant combinations used to treat skin con- endangered. Tis decline is over a decade but the situa- ditions have been reported. Te synergistic interaction of tion has not improved and therefore the status id still medicinal plants have been used since antiquity. Mabona valid [49]. It was observed in a survey in India that collec- and Van Vuuren reported that medicinal plants are used tion amount of A. heterophyllum has dropped down from alone as well as in combination with other plants without 200 g per person per day to 70–100 g per person per day any adequate validation of the combination. Plant species in 5 years [50]. Moreover, illegal collection of this specie like Acorus calamus, Cyathula natalensis, Cyanella lutea, has let it threatened [51]. Hypoxis latifolia, Momordica foetida, Pittosporum viridi- Reddy et al. reported that oleo-gum resin tapped from forum and Vernonia natalensis have efects on skin when the stems of Commiphora wightii constitutes the well- used in combination with other plants but if used alone, known Ayurvedic drug “Guggul” which is consumed they do not have any dermatological efects; they may in high volumes by the herbal industries of Sub-conti- have potential to treat the additional symptoms associ- nent. Field observations over the last several decades have ated with skin conditions like fever in skin infection [34]. confrmed a severe decline in its wild population, as the Plants used in combination with other plants are given shrubs tapped for oleo-gum resin die within 2–3 years. in Table 3, plants used in combination with diferent oils Over the past 84 years (three generation lengths) there in Table 4 and plants used in combination with nutrients has been a decline of more than 80% in the wild popula- are given in Table 5. tion as a result of habitat loss and degradation, coupled Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 14 of 26 [ 129 ] [ 128 ] [ 127 ] [ 68 ] [ 75 ] [ 126 ] [ 40 ] [ 125 ] [ 67 ] [ 40 ] References healing, Syphilis healing, and sores, Scabies and sores, Ulcers, boils Ulcers, pimples, acne pimples, boils, itchy skin itchy boils, treatment, cuts, burns, eczema, sunburn, dermatitis, eczema, burns, cuts, treatment, ulcer pimples and boils, freckles, acne, tules, pimples, boils and other skin and allergy pimples, diseases, tules, leucoderma, allergy, boil, and measles, eczema itching, Germicidal infections, Cutaneous leprosy, wound healing, pimples, eczema, anti-septic, anti-septic, eczema, pimples, healing, wound leprosy, small pox itching, Skin infections Ulcer, Measles and other skin diseases Ulcer, Antiseptic, pimples, antiseptic, burns, Eczema, Wound Wound Eczema, burns, antiseptic, pimples, Antiseptic, Leprosy, Wound healing, Measles, Dressing of wounds of wounds Dressing Measles, healing, Wound Leprosy, leprosy, and purities, wound healing, Smallpox, eczema, eczema, Smallpox, healing, wound and purities, leprosy, leprosy, Skin diseases, pruritus, eczema, wound healing, healing, wound Skin eczema, pruritus, diseases, leprosy, Skin beauty, skin disease, wound healing, burn, eruption, skinSkin healing, wound disease, beauty, Wound healing, chronic, dermatitis and radiation burn chronic, healing, Wound Skin infection, wound healing and leprosy, scabies, pus - scabies, Skin healing and leprosy, wound infection, To stop bleeding from wounds, scabies, fungal infections, fungal infections, scabies, wounds, bleeding from stop To Folk claim Folk - Solanum suttattense promptly are taken are along a cup of milk nabis sativa Calotropis procera of Calotropis with the leaves are made into a paste made into are for dermal use on wounds. Pulp of the leaf Aloe Pulp dermal use on wounds. longa for and chicory ( Cichorium intybus soaked at in water ) are night extract is also used Tablet are prepared from paste of dry paste from friut of Melia prepared aza - are Tablet chebula Terminalia emblica, and darach, Phyllanthus Powder of leaves and roots is mixed Berberis lycium is mixed and roots of leaves Powder is prepared with Decoction of Chenopodium albumis is prepared The leaf paste used with resin of Pine on wounds to cure cure to on wounds of Pine used with resin leaf paste The and one gram leaves of Can leaves and one gram fstula seed of Cassia The Linn. are crushed Linn. are stromarium of Xanthium leaves Fresh Cyperus rotundus L . along with turmeric rotundus and curd Roots of Cyperus Curcuma Curcuma of the leaf Aloe is added with powdered Pulp Pulp of aloe along with 2–3 drops of lemon and rose of lemon and rose of aloe along with 2–3 drops Pulp Leaves are ground in water along with black pepper. along with black pepper. in water ground are Leaves and rice longa Grind along with Curcuma Mode of preperation + Berberis Terminalia + Terminalia Calotropis + Calotropis (Aiton) procera Solanum surattense Burm. f. Solanum surattense Curcuma longa L. Curcuma Curcuma longa L. Aloe barbadensis Curcuma + + Curcuma longa L. Curcuma Cassia fstula Schimp.ex.Oliv Cassia + Wolf + Pine + + Phyllanthus + Phyllanthus L. emblica Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. + Cichorium intybus L. + lyceum Royle lyceum R. Br Mill. chebula Retz. Combination of ethno plants used for skin conditions used for skin of ethno plants Combination (Hook. nubicola f.) (Hook. nubicola f.) Fragaria Chenopodium album L. Clematis orientalis L. Canabis sativa Linn sativa Canabis Xanthium stromarium Linn. stromarium Xanthium Cyperus rotundus L. rotundus Cyperus Aloe barbadensis Mill. Aloe vera (L.) Aloe vera Melia azedarach L. Melia azedarach Cynodon dactylon (L.) Cynodon Combination 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 3 Table no. Sr. Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 15 of 26 [ 129 ] [ 22 ] [ 131 ] [ 62 ] [ 8 ] [ 126 ] [ 67 ] [ 69 ] [ 130 ] [ 40 ] References ringworm, eczema, pustules and ringworm, eczema, boils, syphilis, eruptions, pimples, burn, scabies, dermatitis, ulcer, skin infection Chicken pox, Pimples, Skin- infec Chicken Pimples, pox, gonorrheations, and other skin diseases diseases skin diseases Scabies Boil healing, burns and bruises Boil healing, Skin disorders Leukoderma, athlete foot Leukoderma, athlete Leprosy, wound healing, abscess, abscess, healing, wound Leprosy, Boils, ringworm Boils, Wound healing, Eruption, boils, Eruption, boils, healing, Wound Pustules and pimples Pustules Abscess, boils and other skinAbscess, Wound healing, eczema and other eczema healing, Wound Folk claim Folk applied/powder (ashes) is being applied/powder applied with oil in boiling water; paste is formed in boiling water; is formed paste skinand applied to overnight. oil and made into paste oil and made into applied on skin. Flowers are are applied on skin. Flowers to wounds put in oil applied to powdered, them. Roots are cure and ghee” “desi with mixed on points of leprosy pasted and warmed over fre, which are which are fre, and warmed over pain and infamma - applied over tion of the boils mustard oil and crushed. This This oil and crushed. mustard is applied twice for paste a day 2–3 days tard oil and externallytard mixed with butter oil with butter mixed Mixed with oil and applied The leaves are boiled in milk and are leaves The The four is mixed with apricot oil four is mixed The Leaves are mixed with the mustard with the mustard mixed are Leaves Latex is mixed with castor oil and with castor is mixed Latex Leaves are coated with sesame oil coated are Leaves One or two scales are warmed in One or two scales are Ash of leaves is mixed with mus - is mixed of leaves Ash The dried pulverized roots are are roots driedThe pulverized mixed with oil And applied mixed Ethno preparation Ethno Sd, L L, R L, Sd L, Ft S, Bk, L, Sd, R, Ft, WP S, Bk, R, Ft, L, Sd, L, Sd S, L, bk, bu WP R, Fl F, L, S, Bk F, Part used Poaceae Rosaceae Polygonaceae Lythraceae Asclepiadaceae Capparidaceae Liliaceae Acanthaceae Ranunculaceae Fabaceae Family wallow-wort, Dead Sodom apple, Sea apple Ganri Panzpatar, Rattenjot Panzpatar, Bro Kho-BroBro Mehhndi Dasi ak, Akk, Milk weed, Spalmaka, Kinni Buti Ghashoo, Tukhm peyaz, onion Tukhm Ghashoo, Bhaikar, Barg-e-baansaBhaikar, and Arrusa Zhadwar Kekar Common name Common Plants used in combination with oils used in combination Plants Royle Sporobolus ioclados (Trin.)Sporobolus Potentilla nepalensis Hook. Potentilla Polygonum tataricum L. Polygonum Lawsonia alba Lam. Lawsonia Calotropis procera (Willd.) procera R. Br. Calotropis Cleome viscosa Linn. Cleome viscosa Allium cepa L. Allium cepa adhatoda zeylanica Medik adhatoda zeylanica Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Wall. heterophyllum Aconitum Arabica (Lam.) Willd. Acacia 4 Table Botanical name whole plant WP, S, stem; pod; R, roots; L, leaf; fruit; In, Ft, inforescence; Pd, fowers; fruit; Fl, Bk, bark; bulb; F, Bu, Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 16 of 26 [ 128 ] [ 127 ] [ 127 ] [ 69 ] [ 22 ] [ 136 ] [ 130 ] [ 135 ] [ 67 ] [ 69 ] [ 134 ] [ 6 ] [ 133 ] [ 65 ] [ 132 ] [ 63 ] References - itching-skin condition, eczema, rashes, abscesses, boils, ulcers, burns and irritations boil rhea, abscess, for burning sensa - for rhea, abscess, tion, ulcer ulcers, measles ulcers, ringworm ulcers, infection, pimples and infection, ulcers, other skin diseases pimples, measles, Boils measles, pimples, Wound healing, infections, allergy, allergy, infections, healing, Wound Wound healing and anti-allergy, healing and anti-allergy, Wound Wound healing, antiseptic, Gonor antiseptic, healing, Wound Wounds, sores, burns, boils and burns, sores, Wounds, Wound healing and bruises Wound Ezcema Burn Abscess and wound healing, boils healing, Abscess and wound Boils, infected skin infected Boils, Pustules and pimples Pustules Wound healing, boils, scabies, scabies, boils, healing, Wound Itching, infammation, Pimples Ulcer Wound healing, Sun burn, washing healing, Wound Abscess Skin infections, Wound healing, healing, Wound Skin infections, Folk claim Folk - preperation children to cure skin cure to infection children and allergy butter (ghee) butter milk is added in butter to form a paste. Leaves Leaves a paste. form to in butter is and powder ground dried, are A table spoon with honey. mixed is taken once a day butter butter butter to make to poultice butter juice of plant mixed milk juice of plant mixed milk pepper and eaten and fresh milk to make milk to its paste and fresh and poultice is made Desi ghee mixed with gurh and then mixed applied as a poultice Seed powder with milk is given to to with milk is given Seed powder Dried leaf powder is mixed with is mixed Dried leaf powder Resin admixture with honey Young shoot is fried on pan and Young Dried leaves are ground and mixed and mixed ground are Dried leaves Red powder of fruit is mixed with of fruit is mixed Red powder Decoction of roots is mixed with Decoction is mixed of roots The ash of the leaves is mixed with is mixed ash of the leaves The Paste prepared from fresh milky fresh from prepared Paste Root is powdered and mixed with and mixed Root is powdered Plant is ground along with black is ground Plant Fruit extract with honey is mixed Fruit Roots are crushed, boiled in milk crushed, Roots are The powder of roots is mixed with is mixed of roots powder The Leaves are poused into a paste a paste poused into are Leaves Macerate with yogurt is applied Ethno WP, Sd, L Sd, WP, L, S, R Rs, W Rs, AP, Sh, G, Bk, Rs AP, L F R L WP R P, Sh, L, F, R, S, Fl Sh, L, F, P, L, Sd, Lt L, Sd, R R, Fl, L, Bk, Rh Sd, R, Fl, L L, R, WP Part used Caryophyllaceae Polygonaceae Pinaceae Pinaceae Lamiaceae Euphorbiaceae Asteraceae Tiliaceae Moraceae Boraginaceae Convolvulaceae Rutaceae Nyctaginaceae Saxifragaceae Rhamnaceae Lamiaceae Family - booti takanda, Ghawareja Khashkhash Salooni boti, Losdhi, Rawas, Hoola Rawas, Cheenh, Biar, Kail Cheenh, Biar, Chir, Nakhtar Chir, Kori booi, Spin Azghay, Chiti, Chit Kori booi, Spin Azghay, Kambeela Gogol Doop White spurry, Kaankeh,Wingo White Phagwara Pitrus Heran Kari, Heran-paddi Khatti, Naranj Ensut Chata pana (Zakhm-e-hayat) Gundar Khawaja booti,, Kauri Booti Common name Common Plants used in combination with nutrients used in combination Plants Hook.f. Stellaria media (Linn.) Rumex nepalensis Spreng Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks A. B. wallichiana Pinus Pinus roxburghii Sarg roxburghii Pinus Otostegia limbata (Benth.) Boiss Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Müll. Arg. Müll. Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Jurinea macrocephala Benth. ex Jurinea macrocephala Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori tenax (Forssk.) Grewia Ficus variegata Wall. Ex Roxb Wall. variegata Ficus Cynoglossum denticulatum DC Cynoglossum Convolvolus arvensis Linn Convolvolus Citrus medica Linn. Citrus medica Boerhaavia difusa L. Bergenia ciliate A. Br. ex Engl. ciliate A. Br. Bergenia Zizipnus manurithiana Lam. Ajuga bracteosa Wall. ex Benth Wall. Ajuga bracteosa 5 Table Botanical name Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 17 of 26 [ 129 ] References Wound healing, eczema healing, Wound Folk claim Folk - preperation in milk till it become gelatinous. in milk till it become gelatinous. it and Bandage is made from used as poultice The whole plant is takenThe and boiled Ethno WP, Fl WP, Part used Violaceae Family Banafsha Common name Common (continued) Viola serpens Wall 5 Table Botanical name whole plant WP, wood; W, Sh, shoots; S, stem; resin; Rh, Rs, rhizomes; pod; R, roots; Pd, Petals; L, leaf; P, fruit; G, gum; In, Ft, inforescence; latex; Lt, fowers; fruit; Fl, aerial parts; Bk, bark; bulb; F, Bu, milky acrid; AP, Ac, Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 18 of 26 ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ls/50126 ​ 560 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/50126 ​ 560/0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/50126 ​ 558/0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr References - habitat management and sustain - able collection practices be undertaken areas in protected the knownneeded throughout to historic range of the taxon ascertain the status of all recorded subpopulations biology and reproductive trend, be need to techniques propagation carried support out to conservation action programs trend, reproductive biology and reproductive trend, should be techniques propagation carried support out to conservation action programs collection practice undertaken areas in protected the knownneeded across range of ascertain to occurrence the status of wild subpopulations trend, reproductive biology and reproductive trend, should be techniques propagation carried support out to conservation action programs collection practice undertaken areas in protected the knownacross range of occur rence to ascertain to rence the status of wild subpopulations I. Habitat loss and over exploitation I. Habitat loss and over II. It in attention needs immediate in situ conservationIII. Active should Surveying and monitoring is also IV. Intensive studies on population V. I. Intensive studies on the population and sustainable II. Habitat managment in situ conservationIII. Active be may Surveying and monitoring is IV. I. Intensive studies on the population and sustainable II. Habitat managment in situ conservationIII. Active be may and monitoring is needed IV.Surveying Conservation actionConservation - unsustainable tion and unsustainable collection wild from illegal collectiondue to and market ing due to constructiondue to of high altitude and avalanch roads unsustainable col - due to hampered lection of tubers and roots I. Loss of habitat due to agriculture and agriculture of habitat due to I. Loss wild II. Collection from I. Loss of habitat due to road construc - road of habitat due to I. Loss scale collectionII. Large threat species is under severe This III. I. Over harvesting and loss of habitat II. Regeneration of the species is Major threat VU EN CR Category Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae Family Endangered species of Pakistan Endangered Holmes Aconitum violaceum Jacquem. ex Stapf Jacquem. violaceum Aconitum Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle Wall. heterophyllum Aconitum Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf ex Aconitum Botanical name 3 2 1 6 Table no Sr. Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 19 of 26 ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ls/42232 ​ /0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/50126 ​ 594/0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/20166 ​ 4/0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/31231 ​ /0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/42304 ​ /0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/19453 ​ 5/0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr References protected areas throughout its throughout areas protected range terms of trade regulation, habitat terms of trade regulation, management and sustainable col - lection practice on the pressure reduce help to may wild population recommended to better understand better to recommended population size this is afecting how tion technique could minimize the could minimize tion technique mortality of the species (Dixit rate and Rao 2000) and macro micro cation through technique propagation by the system into been brought identifying and documenting more (MPCAs) areas than 100 forest across its range across ensure the survivalensure of this species This species is known This several from I. It in attention needs immediate II. Ex situ conservation and cultivation Monitoring of wild harvesting is I. Biotic pressure should be regulated I. Biotic pressure gum extrac and better - II. Standard III. Ex situ conservation and multipli - and eforts Some attention have IV. Known from several protected areas areas protected several Known from Harvesting must be sustainable to Conservation actionConservation - - been identifed for this species; over this species; over been identifed for exploitation and habitat degradation be localised may and conversion problems harvesting. Due to road constructionharvesting. road Due to invasion and agricultural ments impacts has severe and rainfall, ature on the population and habitat gated parts, trade and loss of high volume habitat goats or season, scarcity during the rainy times festive of of the most generic problems conservation of occupancy, small area occurrence, of populations, fragmentation severe - very and inva regeneration low sion of alien species mean that C. wightii is facing a high extinction risk forests for agriculture may also may agriculture for forests in some partspose local threats of and IndiaPakistan medicinal plant 85% of the popula - Range, Pakistan, tion has decreased No specifc range wide threats have have No specifc range wide threats I. Loss of habitat and unregulated of habitat and unregulated I. Loss II. Over and human settle grazing in terms of temper change, III. Climate Over harvesting- should be investi I. Unsustainable collection of multiple sheep and by II. Grazing and browsing III. Collection of branches as fuel wood one species demonstrates This IV. extent of a narrow Overexploitation, V. I. Intensive logging (legal and illegal) I. Intensive logging of and conversion II. Deforestation I. Over exploitation as it is a high value HindukushII. In Valley the Mankial Major threat LC CR LC CR LC LC Category Cupressaceae Gentianaceae Ephedraceae Burseraceae Pinaceae Batulaceae Family (continued) Juniperus excels M. Bieb. Juniperus excels Gentiana Royle kurroo Ephedra intermedia Ephedra Schrenk ex C.A. Mey. Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari Commiphora Cedrus deodara (Roxb. ex D. Don) G. Don ex D. (Roxb. deodara Cedrus Betula utilis D. Don Betula utilis D. Botanical name 9 8 7 6 5 4 6 Table no Sr. Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 20 of 26 ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ​ ​ edlis t.org/detai ls/42427 ​ /0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/42412 ​ /0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/34189 ​ /0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) ls/42254 ​ /0 (assessed on 25.12.2016) http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr http://www.iucnr References - tected areas tected areas been established to supply the been established to seeds included within are ana forests areas protected coupled with sustaina - programmes needed before are ble use strategies this species declines sufciently to a threatened for become eligible category protected areas protected This species occurs in several pro species occurs in several This This species occurs in some protected species occurs in some protected This I. In Afghanistan, plantations have plantations have I. In Afghanistan, - gerardi II. In other parts of its range P. III. A combination of reaforestation This species is recorded from many many from species is recorded This Conservation actionConservation - negatively impactnegatively the population, common and but the species is too serious have this to wide-spread for consequences other than locally have reduced the area of occupancy the area reduced have , it is still cover roxburghii of P. (AOO) (an estimated areas ing extensive 0.87 million ha in India alone) not considered and is therefore with extinction. be threatened to tapping methods of resin Improved the risk of trees decreased have dying prematurely cultural use, increasing the degree of the degree increasing cultural use, that and overgrazing fragmentation, natural regeneration prevents poor regeneration tributes to Potentially, over-exploitation could Potentially, While forest destruction and logging While forest - agri for pine forests for I. Conversion II. Over harvesting of seed cones con - frewood III. Over exploitation for Overgrazing Major threat LC LC NT LC Category Pinaceae Pinaceae Pinaceae Cupressaceae Family (continued) Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jacks. A.B. wallichiana Pinus Pinus roxburghii Sarg. roxburghii Pinus Pinus gerardiana Wall. Ex D. Don Ex D. Wall. gerardiana Pinus Juniperus squamata Lamb. Botanical name 13 12 11 10 6 Table no Sr. vulnerable VU, near threat; NT, least concern; LC, EN, endangered; CR, critically endangered; Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 21 of 26

Table 7 List of some commercially available medicinal plants used in Pakistan Sr. no Botanical Brand name Manufacturer Ingredients Dosage form Dosage name

1 Calotropis pro- PACHNOL Hamdard laborato- Ammonium chloride68.070000 mg/Tab Tablet Twice a day cera (Willd.) ries Waqf Pakistan Calotropis procera (Ait.) R. Br.11.345000 mg/Tab R. Br. Ferula assafoetida Linn.5.627000 mg/Tab Lake salt68.070000 mg/Tab Myrtus caryophyllus Spreng. 84.952000 mg/Tab Piper nigrum Linn.34.035000 mg/Tab Potassium Carbonate11.345000 mg/Tab Sanchal Salt84.952000 mg/Tab Sodii biboras11.345000 mg/Tab Zingiber ofcinale Roscoe 34.035000 mg/Tab 2 Berberis lyceum AHMAREEN QARSHI INDUSTRIES Ammonium chloride 30.000000 mg/10 ml Syrup Twice a day Royle (PVT) LTD Berberis aristata DC. 200.000000 mg/10 ml Cichorium intybus Linn. 100.000000 mg/10 ml Citrus limonum Risso (Oil) 10.000000 mg/10 ml Citrus limonum Risso (Bark) 300.000000 mg/10 ml Ferrous ammonium sulphate 50.000000 mg/10 ml Jawahar mohra 10.000000 mg/10 ml Nelumbium speciosum Willd. 100.000000 mg/10 ml Rosa damascena Miller 100.000000 mg/10 ml Santalum album Linn. 26.660000 mg/10 ml Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. (Extract) 10.000000 mg/10 ml Vitis vinifera Linn. 200.000000 mg/10 ml Preservatives 0.000000 Q.S Saccharum Base 0.000000 Q.S 3 Achyranthes HOOPINIL QARSHI INDUSTRIES Achyranthes aspera Linn.312.000000 mg/10 ml Syrup 6 times a day aspera L. (PVT) LTD Adhatoda vasica Nees125.000000 mg/10 ml Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf125.000000 mg/10 ml Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn.125.000000 mg/10 ml Khashkhash musafa125.000000 mg/10 ml Mentha piperita Linn. (Extract) 2.500000 mg/10 ml Pistacia integerrima J. L. Stewart ex Bran- dis125.000000 mg/10 ml 4 Riccinus com- DAWA-E- Hamdard laborato- Celastrus paniculatus Willd. (Oil) 0.500000 g/3 g Liquid 3 g once daily munis L. MALISH ries Waqf Pakistan Cinnamomum cassia Blume (Oil) 0.100000 g/3 g Ricinus communis Linn. (Oil) 1.500000 g/3 g Sea Salt0.320000 g/3 g Styrax benzoin Dryander 0.160000 g/3 g Wax0.320000 g/3 g 5 Carthamus NAMAK JALI- Hamdard laborato- Ammonium chloride 15.500000 mg/500 mg, Tablet 2 tab once daily tinctorious L. NOOS ries Waqf Pakistan Black salt 15.500000 mg/500 mg Carthamus tinctorius Linn. 15.500000 mg/500 mg Carum carvi Linn. 15.500000 mg/500 mg Cinnamomum cassia Blume 15.500000 mg/500 mg Cinnamomum malabathrum Batka 15.500000 mg/500 mg Cuminum cyminum Linn. 15.500000 mg/500 mg Cuscuta refexa Roxb. 15.500000 mg/500 mg Foeniculum vulgare Miller 15.500000 mg/500 mg Lake salt 30.750000 mg/500 mg Piper nigrum Linn. (White) 15.500000 mg/500 mg Piper nigrum Linn. (Black) 15.500000 mg/500 mg Rock Salt 185.000000 mg/500 mg Valeriana ofcinalis Linn. 15.500000 mg/500 mg Zingiber ofcinale Roscoe 15.500000 mg/500 mg Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 22 of 26

Table 7 (continued) Sr. no Botanical Brand name Manufacturer Ingredients Dosage form Dosage name

6 Solanum MADAMOL QARSHI INDUSTRIES Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd. 62.500000 mg/10 ml Syrup 2 teaspoon nigrum L. SYRUP (PVT) LTD Achillea millefolium Linn. 62.500000 mg/10 ml twice a day Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn 62.500000 mg/10 ml Cichorium endivia Linn. 62.500000 mg/10 ml Ficus bengalensis Linn. 62.500000 mg/10 ml Fumaria ofcinalis 62.500000 mg/10 ml Gendarussa vulgaris 62.500000 mg/10 ml Iron Compound 50.000000 mg/10 ml Juniperus communis Linn. var. saxatilis Pall. 62.500000 mg/10 ml Melia azadarach Linn. 62.500000 mg/10 ml Nepeta ruderalis Ham. 62.500000 mg/10 ml Pimpinella anisum Linn. 62.500000 mg/10 ml Rubia cordifolia Linn. 62.500000 mg/10 ml Solanum nigrum Linn. 62.500000 mg/10 ml 7 Aloe barbaden- BARRISAL Hamdard laborato- Aloe barbadensis Mill. 1.000000 g/100 ml Syrup 5 teaspoon sis Mill. ries Waqf Pakistan thrice a day 8 Ficus carica BERSEENA Hamdard laborato- Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd. 23.520000 mg/Tab Tablet 3 tab thrice a Linn. QURS ries Waqf Pakistan Ficus caricaLinn. 23.520000 mg/Tab day Melia azadarach Linn. (Peel) 23.520000 mg/Tab Melia azadirachta Linn (Leaves) 23.520000 mg/Tab Melia azadirachta Linn (Bark) 23.520000 mg/Tab Psoralea corylifolia Linn. 23.520000 mg/Tab 9 Fumaria indica ITRIFAL SHAH- Hamdard laborato- Cassia angustifolia Vahl. 0.075000 g/6 g Semi solid 6–12 g daily Linn HATRA​ ries Waqf Pakistan Emblica ofcinalis Linn. (Dry) 0.150000 g/6 g Fumaria indica (Haussk) Pugsley (Leaves) 0.375000 g/6 g Rosa damascene Miller 0.045000 g/6 g Terminalia chebula Retz. 0.150000 g/6 g Sweetening agent and preservatives 0.000000 Q.S 10 Datura stramo- HABB-E- Hamdard laborato- Asphaltum 3.330000 g/Tab Tablet 1–2 tab once nium L. MUMSIK ries Waqf Pakistan Bombax ceiba Linn. 16.660000 g/Tab daily TILAI Centaurea behenLinn. 8.330000 g/Tab Corylus avellana Linn. 2.660000 g/Tab Datura stramonium Linn. 2.660000 g/Tab Hyoscyamus niger Linn. 2.660000 g/Tab Juglans regia Linn. 2.660000 g/Tab Lactuca scariola Linn. 2.660000 g/Tab Lagenaria vulgaris Ser 2.660000 g/Tab Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Seeds (nutmeg)) 1.330000 g/Tab Myristica fragrans Houtt. (Seeds (mace)) 1.330000 g/ Tab Papaver somniferum Linn. 2.660000 g/Tab Pinus gerardiana Wall ex Lam. 2.660000 g/Tab Pistacia vera Linn. 2.660000 g/Tab Prunus amygdalus Batsch. 2.660000 g/Tab

with unregulated harvesting and tapping of oleo-gum Hence, the species is under severe threat of extinction. resin. Tis species is therefore assessed as Critically Tis assessment was primarily based on the very limited Endangered [52]. Soni identifed a number of relevant reported presence of the species in wild and the high activities within the study area under the theme ‘Guggal demand and prices for the dried roots of this plant. Te Bachao Abhiyan’ (Save Guggal Movement). Tese were wild population in IndoPak region is inferred to have conducted through the close co-operation of the village declined by 80% in a 10 years time period. Te recent level communities, who depend on local biodiversity for CAMP assessment also agrees with the trend of popu- their livelihoods in the Aravali Hills of Rajasthan [53]. lation decline of more than 80% in India. Terefore, the Gentiana kurroo is mainly collected from the wild species is assessed as Critically Endangered [54, 55]. and there is no information regarding its cultivation. Alamgeer et al. Chin Med (2018) 13:52 Page 23 of 26

Commercially available important plants wound healing properties and for other skin conditions. Plants that are available commercially in Pakistan in dif- However, very few classes of secondary metabolites and ferent formulations are enlisted in Table 7. pure isolated components were tested. Terefore, it is Worth and number of herbal industries is increasing imperative to conduct detailed phytochemical studies day by day in Pakistan due to the trust of people on tradi- for the isolation of novel compounds. tional medicines [56]. Authors’ contributions Ethno-medicines has a vital role in the industrializa- A gave basic concept of the paper and reviewed and drafted the manuscript, tion [57]. Vivienne et al. stated commercial importance AS, HA, WY, HR, also collected and analyzed data and drafted the manuscript. IAB and AMA collected papers using facilities of their university and also of medicinal plants in South Africa and reported 11 spe- helped in writing paper. All authors read and approved the fnal manuscript. cies of medicinal plants that are imported from India and other countries including Cinnamommum camphora. Author details 1 Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research and Integrative Pharmacology, Col- Tey also concluded that the size of the regional mar- lege of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan. 2 Rashid Latif ket of medicinal plants can be assessed by knowing the College of Pharmacy, Lahore, Pakistan. 3 Department of Pharmacology, Col- number of species traded. Commercial utilization of the lege of Medicine, King Saud University Riyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 4 Prince Abdullah Ben Khaled Celiac Disease Research Chair, Department of Pediatrics, medicinal plant is directly related to the degree of extinc- Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. tion [45]. Acknowledgements The authors extend their appreciation to the deanship scientifc research at Future considerations King Saud university for funding this research through # (RG-1439-002). Te review revealed that many of the important informa- Competing interests tion like ethno preparation, habit and part used, of many The authors declare that they have no competing interests. important medicinal plants were not available in previ- ous articles which can be due to the lack of interest of Availability of data and materials All data generated and analyzed in this study is has been taken from the free local youth to acquire the traditional knowledge from the excess sources while those which were not available online were taken by ancestors and thus provision of incomplete information authors from king Saud University. to the previous articles, further ethno-pharmacological Consent for publication research should be carried out to save the traditional Not applicable. knowledge and to take it to the light of science. Medicinal plants in Pakistan contain great variety Ethics approval and consent to participate which can be used against a large number of skin ail- Not applicable. ments. Leaves, whole plant and roots are the most Funding widely used parts in different ethno-medicinal prep- Not applicable. arations. Whole plant and root harvesting are the destructive type of techniques, it is important to pro- Publisher’s Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in pub- tect the medicinal plants from exploitation. Although lished maps and institutional afliations. in Pakistan there is a strong traditional background supporting the use of these ethno-medicines against Received: 13 May 2018 Accepted: 11 October 2018 skin ailments but detailed ethno-pharmacological studies are not enough to support the folk claim. Majority of the studies have not documented other information regarding mode of preparation and dose References 1. Musharaf K. 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117. Rani MS, Pippalla RS, Mohan K. Dodonaea viscosa Linn.—an overview. • thorough peer review by experienced researchers in your field Asian J Pharm Res Health Care. 2009;1(1):97–112. • rapid publication on acceptance 118. Srivastav S, Singh P, Mishra G, Jha KK, Khosa RL. Achyranthes aspera— • support for research data, including large and complex data types n important medicinal plant: a review. J Nat Prod Plant Resour.

2011;1(1):1–14. • gold Open Access which fosters wider collaboration and increased citations 119. Derwich E, Benziane Z, Boukir A. Antibacterial activity and chemical • maximum visibility for your research: over 100M website views per year composition of the essential oil from fowers of Nerium oleander. Elec- tronic J Environ Agric Food Chem. 2010;9:6. At BMC, research is always in progress.

120. Jena J, Gupta AK. Ricinus communis Linn: a phytopharmacological review. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2012;4(4):25–9. Learn more biomedcentral.com/submissions