Introduction

To explore the ethnobiological wisdom of the tribals of three western districts of West Bengal, India against poisonous and non-poisonous bites and stings, a quantitative approach was adopted. These age-old yet unexplored knowledge can be utilized in finding lead-molecules against poisonous and non-poisonous animal-bites. Further, an evidence-based approach is needed to assess the venom-neutralization ability of plants by experimental studies.

Materials and methods

During 2008–2009 and 2012–2017, 11 ethnomedicinal surveys were carried out to explore the use of medicinal flora and fauna via conducting open semi-structured interviews with 47 traditional healers (THs) or informants. The retrieved dataset was statistically evaluated using seven quantitative-indexes: use-value (UV), informants'-consensus-factor (ICF), fidelity-level (FL), relative-importance (RI), cultural importance-index (CI), index of agreement on remedies (IAR) and cultural agreement-index (CAI). Anti-phospholipaseA₂ (PLA₂) properties of selected plant extracts were also examined. In addition, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the water extract of the plants showing high FL as well as significant PLA₂ inhibitory potential were investigated using Allium cepa root tip assay.

Results

A total of 41 traditional-formulations (TFs) containing 40 plant species (of 39 genera from 28 families) and 3 animal species were prescribed by the THs. Fabaceae exhibited most number of medicinal plants. Piper nigrum (1.78) and Apis cerana indica and Crossopriza lyoni (both 0.21) exhibited the highest UV among the plants and the animals respectively. Stinging of centipede and dog/cat/hyena bite displayed highest ICF (1.00 each). Among the plants, the maximum RI (0.91) and CI (4.98) values were observed for Aristolochia indica. IAR (1.00) was recorded maximum for Achyranthes aspera, Gloriosa superba, Lycopodium cernuum, Smilax zeylanica and Streblus asper. Maximum CAI value was noted for Piper nigrum (5.5096). Among the animals, Apis cerana indica (0.31) and Crossopriza lyoni (1.52) displayed the highest RI and CI values respectively. Crossopriza lyoni (0.99) and Apis cerana indica (1.3871) exhibited maximum IAR and CAI values respectively. Plants showing higher FL exhibited higher anti-PLA₂ activity via selective inhibition of human-group PLA₂. In addition, Allium cepa root tip assay has indicated the safety and/or toxicity of the plant parts prescribed by the THs. Root water extracts of Aristolochia indica and Gloriosa superba exhibited significant genotoxicity and cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

Three western districts of West Bengal is the natural abode for many tribal and non-tribal communities. A noteworthy correlation was established between the plants used against poisonous-bites and their anti-PLA₂ activity. A few plant parts used by the THs also exhibited high toxicity. Such alternative medical practices serve as the only option in these underprivileged and backward areas during medical-exigencies.

中文翻译：

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印度西孟加拉邦三个最西部地区的部落使用的针对有毒和无毒叮咬的民族生物学功效和安全性的循证评估：抗磷脂酶A ₂和遗传毒性作用

介绍

为了探索印度西孟加拉邦三个西部地区的部落的民族生物学智慧，反对有毒和无毒的咬伤和，伤，采用了定量方法。这些古老而未开发的知识可用于发现有毒和无毒动物叮咬的铅分子。此外，需要基于证据的方法来通过实验研究评估植物的毒液中和能力。

材料和方法

在2008-2009年和2012-2017年期间，通过与47位传统治疗者（TH）或信息提供者进行开放式半结构化访谈，开展了11项民族医学调查，以探索药用动植物的使用。使用七个定量指标对检索到的数据集进行统计评估：使用价值（UV），信息提供者共识因子（ICF），保真度水平（FL），相对重要性（RI），文化重要性指数（CI） ，补救措施协议索引（IAR）和文化协议索引（CAI）。还检查了所选植物提取物的抗磷脂酶A ₂（PLA ₂）性质。此外，研究了使用高FL以及显着的PLA ₂抑制潜力的植物的水提取物的细胞毒性和遗传毒性。葱洋葱根尖测定。

结果

TH规定了总共41种传统配方（TF），其中包含40种植物（来自28个科的39属）和3种动物。豆科植物显示出最多的药用植物。黑胡椒（1.78）和印度蜜蜂（Apis cerana indica）和柳梗（Crossopriza lyoni）（均为0.21）分别在植物和动物中表现出最高的紫外线。ipe和狗/猫/鬣狗的叮咬表现出最高的ICF（每只1.00）。在植物中，观察到印度马兜铃的最大RI（0.91）和CI（4.98）。IAR（1.00），记录最大为土牛膝，嘉兰，石松cernuum，菝zeylanica和Streblus asper。指出了胡椒派胡椒的最大CAI值（5.5096）。在这些动物中，印度蜜蜂（0.31）和莱昂十字杆菌（1.52）分别显示出最高的RI和CI值。Crossopriza lyoni（0.99）和Apis cerana indica（1.3871）分别显示最大IAR和CAI值。显示出较高FL的植物通过选择性抑制人组PLA ₂表现出较高的抗PLA ₂活性。此外，葱属的根尖分析表明了TH规定的植物部位的安全性和/或毒性。马兜铃的根水提取物和格氏剑孢表现出显着的遗传毒性和细胞毒性。

结论

西孟加拉邦的三个西部地区是许多部落和非部落社区的天然居所。在用于抗毒咬的植物与其抗PLA ₂活性之间建立了值得注意的相关性。TH使用的一些植物部位也显示出高毒性。在医疗紧急情况下，这些替代医疗方法是这些贫困和落后地区的唯一选择。