Ethnopharmacological survey, Phytochemical screening and Antibacterial activity measurements of high altitude medicinal plants of Nepal: A bioprospecting approach

Abstract

The ethnopharmacological survey was undertaken to collect information about the use of seven most used medicinal plants, viz. <i>Gentiana depressa </i>D<i>. </i>Don<i>, Rhododendron setosum </i>D.<i> </i>Don<i> , Rhodiola </i>spp<i>., Elsholtzia strobilifera </i>(Benth.) Benth.<i>, Hedychium spicatum </i>Sm.<i>, Eriophyton wallichii </i>Benth.<i>, Rheum </i>L. spp<i>, </i>in the region which is defined as a most potent area of high altitude medicinal plants by the Government of Nepal. The medical indication of each plant was reported on the basis of their uses by traditional healers and ethnic groups. Following the survey result, extraction of the samples was carried out by solvent extraction process in petroleum ether and cold methanol in view to compare their activity preliminarily. Phytochemical tests, cytotoxic effect (LC₅₀) and zone of inhibition (ZOI) against 13 different bacteria and 5 different fungi indicated the medical value of these plants that supports their traditional uses. The results of this study reinforce bioprospecting of the plants as a potential and promising drug candidate for the future pharmacological industries.