Nature is a valuable source of medicinal plants rich in phytochemicals which have been used
for centuries in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Nepal is home to about 1,950
species of medicinal plants (about 28% of the local flora), including 1,614 native species. More
than 80% of the rural populations of Nepal depend on herbal remedies.
The Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal (ESON), in collaboration with Korea Research Institute
of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Central Department of Botany (CDB) and Central
Department of Biotechnology (CDBT), Tribhuvan University, Nepal, conducted a study in Dhading
District to find potential species for novel herbal drug development. This study documented
200 ethnobotanically important plants. Further, phytochemical screening of methanolic extracts
of 23 plants for phenolic and flavonoid content and in-vitro examination for antioxidant,
antibacterial and cytotoxicity in HeLa cell line were carried out in Nepal. Furthermore, 178
species were assessed at KRIBB for anti-inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells, cytotoxicity in
six human cancer cell lines and insecticidal potential.
This study has shown ethnomedicinal relationship between the detected active compounds and
bioactivities. Scurrula elata has potential antimicrobial, antioxidant properties, and remarkable
phenolic and flavonoid content. Other potential species with such properties are Terminalia
bellirica, Tsuga dumosa, Geranium wallichianum, Phyllanthus emblica, and Desmodium
gangeticum. Similarly, highest inhibition of human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell was shown
by Symplocos lucida. The results showed that there are many underutilised plants with huge
medicinal potential, and a scientific approach integrating traditional knowledge will help in the
search for novel drugs.