ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AGAINST LIVESTOCK INFECTIONS BY TRIBAL COMMUNITY UNDER SEMI-ARID CONDITIONS

Abstract

The ethnobotanical documentation of medicinal plants used against livestock illnesses was carried out in a tribal community of Shishikoh, District Chitral, Pakistan. For data tabulation, semi -structured questionnaires were used. A total of 52 plant species belonging to 28 families and 46 genera were found to be used for ethnoveterinary purposes. The dominant family was Asteraceae with 7 (13.46%) species followed by Apiaceae with 4 (7.69) species, Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae ( Papilionaceae), Poaceae and Salicaceae each had 3 (6%) species. The reported taxa were used for the treatment of 32 different livestock illnesses. The maximum number of plants used for Constipation was12 (23.0%) followed by 10 (19.23%) for Parasitic infection, 9 (17.31) for wound infection, 7 (13.46%) for diarrhea, 6 (11.53) for galactagogues and gastric trouble was treated with 5 (9.62%) species, while the remaining showed less than 5 (9.62%) for each. The ethnoveterinary medicinal plants were administered mainly orally (39;75%) followed by topical (13; 25%), and nasally (1;1.92%) routes. The most harvested plant parts for preparing remedies in the area were leaves (18; 41%), followed by whole plants (6; 23%) and aerial parts (3; 12%). The maximum use value index (UVi) was recorded for Allium cepa at (0.08) followed by Foeniculum vulgare, Artemisia maritima, Alium sativum, Berberis lyceum, and Capparis spinosa each with 0.07 in each; Anthemis cotula, Artemisia perviflora, Brassica compestris, Mentha arvensis had 0.05 UVi in each. The dominant RFCi was also calculated for Capparis spinosa with (0.73), followed by Mentha arvensis (0.69), Allium cepa (0.68), Verbascum thapsus (0.67), and Juniperus excelsa (0.65). The recipes were mostly used in the form of decoction and infusion, followed by balrn and paste. Indigenous knowledge is widely known by the ethnic groups of tribal communities and is passed down from generation to generation. However, it faces a high risk of elimination due to factors such as lack of interest, allopathy, overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable utilization. The scientific evaluation of cited plant taxa is recommended to unlock their maximum therapeutic potential and develop possible conservation strategies in the veterinary sector for the welfare of livestock.