DOI: 10.17632/kbmr74pm6b
title: Investigating Traditional Therapeutics: A Documentation and Analysis of Ethno-gynaecological (Medicinal) Flora among Tribal Communities of Dharampur Forest, South Gujarat, India

description: This dataset originates from a comprehensive ethno-gynaecological study and subsequent phytochemical screening of 12 specific therapeutic plants. These plants hold significant traditional value, having been utilized for generations by tribal communities in Dharampur Taluka, South Gujarat, India, particularly for women's health conditions. During fieldwork, researchers meticulously identified these 12 crucial herbal medications, which are commonly employed by tribal women to address various medical ailments. The core objective of this study was to scientifically validate the traditional knowledge surrounding these plants through a thorough assessment of their phytochemical properties. For the phytochemical analysis, crude extraction of the plant materials was performed using the Soxhlet extraction method with solvents of varying polarities: Methanol, Ethyl acetate, Chloroform, and Petroleum ether. Notably, the highest phytochemical extractive yield was observed in the methanolic extract of the stem bark of Prosopis cineraria (L.), reaching an impressive 30%. Conversely, the lowest crude phytochemical yield was noted in the Petroleum ether extract. Preliminary phytochemical tests were conducted to detect the presence of key compounds, including Alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Flavonoids, Phenols, Phloba Tannins, Tannins, and Sterols. To further assess the quality and purity of the plant materials, the ash values of all 12 medicinal plants were investigated invloving total ash and acid-insoluble ash. A primary focus of the phytochemical screening was to quantify the Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Total Flavonoid Content (TFC) in these therapeutic plants. Regarding TPC, the methanolic extract of the stem bark of Prosopis cineraria (L.) exhibited the highest content, at 131.53 mg/gm, while the lowest TPC in methanolic extracts was found in the stem bark of Pterocarpus marsupium (Roxb.) (12.21 mg/gm). For ethyl acetate extracts, the stem bark of Prosopis cineraria (L.) again showed the highest TPC (13.94 mg/gm), with the lowest in Pterocarpus marsupium (Roxb.) (2.14 mg/gm). In terms of TFC, the methanolic extract of the stem bark of Boerhavia verticillate Poir. recorded the highest value (14.58 mg/gm), whereas the lowest TFC in methanolic extracts was observed in the stem bark of Pterocarpus marsupium (Roxb.) (1.65 mg/gm). For ethyl acetate extracts, the stem bark of Helicteres isora (Linn.) displayed a remarkably high TFC of 211.41 mg/gm, with the lowest in Pterocarpus marsupium (Roxb.) (15.75 mg/gm). Crucially, all 12 selected medicinal plants demonstrated significant antioxidant activity through analytical methods. This highlights their considerable potential in preventing oxidative stress-related disorders and scientifically supports their long-standing traditional use in herbal medicine by the tribal communities of Dharampur Forest, South Gujarat, India. This approach bridges the traditional indigenous knowledge with scientific methods.