Taxonomy of Imported Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional ‎Medicine in Aleppo

Abdel Aleem Bello*(1) and Tawfik Al-Boshi(2)

(1). Plant Bilolgy Department, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Renewable Natural Resources and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: D. Abdel Aleem Bello. E-Mail: abdelaleembello@gmail.com).

Received: 24/09/2018                               Accepted: 13/02/2019

Abstract

The medicinal plants were still used in traditional medicine in the city of Aleppo, despite the availability of prescribed chemical drugs, and the documentation of this medical knowledge is very important. The study included identification and classification of 52 imported medicinal plants belonging to 36 plant families, and used in traditional medicine in Aleppo city to treat many diseases and disorders. The samples were collected from the herbalist shops, and the data were collected from the herbalists and from the related references. The list of plants was arranged alphabetically by scientific name, recorded next to each plant, the plant part used, and the uses of each species in traditional medicine. The most representative families were Zingiberaceae and Fabaceae, with 5 plants (9.61%) each, followed by Lauraceae with 3 plants (5.77%). The most vegetative parts used were fruits from 16 plants (30.77%), followed by gums and oils from 8 plants (15.38%), then seeds from 6 plants (11.54%). The most common uses were the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in 27 plants (51.92%), followed by skin and hair, cardiovascular diseases and sexual problems in 10 plants (19.23%) each. Plants were classified according to the source as 22 plants from India (42.31%), 12 from China (23.08%), and 6 from Sudan (11.54%).

Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Traditional Medicine, Herbalists, Scientific classification, Plant family.

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Height–Diameter Models of Pinus brutia Ten. at the Coastal Mountains of Al-Ghab in Syria

Somar Khalil(1) Ali Thabeet*(1) and Wadie khoury(1)

(1). Department of Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Ali Thabeet. E-Mail: alithabt@yahoo.fr).

Received: 24/11/2018                                Accepted: 03/01/2019

Abstract

This article included testing the height curves using some statistical parameters i.e., absolute mean of model error, relative mean of model error %, absolute standard deviation of the mean model error, model accuracy, model accuracy % and coefficient of determination R2, to select the best model to estimate the height of Pinus brutia at the coastal mountains of Al Ghab in Syria, depending on one easy variable, which was the diameter of breast height. The objective of the study was to study height–diameter relationship as well as to obtain useful data in forest management. Ten height curve models were tested viz. Michailoff, Parabel, Prodan, Petterson, Korsun, Logarithmic, Pretzsch, Freese and Schreuder. The data of 104 trees was divided to estimate model parameters (71 trees) and the data for evaluation the models (33 trees). The results of model’s efficiency showed the adoption of the logarithmic model. This model had a high R-squared (R2 = 93.38%), and the values of average model error value of 0.06, model accuracy of 0.792, model error % was 0.589 and standard deviation of model error was 0.529.

Keywords: Pinus brutia, Height curves, Growth modelling, Syria.

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Studying the Dendrometric Characteristics of the Forest Stands in the Protected Area of Cedar and Fire in Slenfeh – Syria

Abeer Ibrahem*(1) and Samaher Damserko(1)

(1). Department of Forestry and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Abeer Ibrahem. E-Mail: ink_abeer@yahoo.com).

Received: 07/10/2018                                Accepted: 16/01/2019

Abstract

The research aimed to study the structure of the current forest stands at the Cedrus libani A. Richard natural forest on the eastern aspect of the coastal mountain range in Slenfeh, Syria. 48 samples were selected with an area of ​​100 m2. The dendrometric characteristics of forest stands (density, diameter, basal area and crown coverage) were identified in the selected samples. The forest measurements were compared using Wallis-Kruskal Test (KW) at 5 % level of significance using SPSS. The results showed that the forest stands were characterized by a high diversity of composition and structure. The Cedrus libani  was the dominant forest species, although its distributed is non homogeneously, in addition to another group of forest species which were Juniperus drupacea Labill., Quercus infectoria Oliv., Ostrya carpinifolia Scop., Quercus libani Oliv., Quercus cerris L. subsp. pseudocerris (Boiss.) Chalabi, Quercus brantii Lind., Fraxinus orunus L., and finally Quercus calliprinos Weeb. The Cedrus libani  was superior to other forest species in all its forest characteristics, while its juveniles declined in their forest characteristics against many other forest species.

Key Words: Forest structure, Dendrometric characteristics, Cedrus libani, Slenfeh, Syria.

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Evaluation The suitability of Trees Species to be grown in Streets. Case of Study: Al-Gomhouria Street in Latakia City, Syria

Bilall Alsayed*(1) and Osama Radwan(1)

(1). Department of Forestry and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Bilal Alsayed. E-Mail: belal_as11@hotmail.com).

Received: 27/04/2018                                Accepted: 03/10/2018

Abstract

Street trees are an integral part of the street infrastructure, so choosing the right type plays a big role in determining the aesthetic and environmental value of any street. From an aesthetic perspective, street trees are important in increasing the beauty of the city and providing visual aids from an environmental perspective, street trees play an important role in reducing the effects of urbanization and population growth on the environment. The research dealt with the analysis of tree rows and studied the diversity of trees and determined their idealism in Al-Gomhouria Street in Latakia City. Results of this paper revealed prominent breaks in the arboreal rows, and that these rows contained five botanic species (Washingtonia filifera H., Melia azedarach L., Olea europaea L., Ligustrum ovalifolium and Ficusnitida L.) and the results showed that the ratios of many taxonomic units were not ideal, and it was noticed the irregular distribution of individuals between the types found in the street, which caused distortion of the beauty of the street and underestimated the importance of vegetation cover in the street. Findings showed a decrease in the value of the idealism of the four tree species where (Ligustrum ovalifolium) attained of 6.64/10 and (Olea europaea L.) 6.76/10 and (Washingtonia filifera H.) 7.13/10 and (Ficusnitida L.) 7.15/10, while the degree of (Melia azedarach L.) attained a better degree 7.72/10.

Key words: Street trees, Idealism degree, Latakia, Syria.

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A Study of the Chemical Composition and Relationship Characteristics of Some Ceratonia siliqua L. |Genotypes Spread in Latakia Governorate

Samer Nasser*(1) Tala Amin(1) and Hafez Mahfoud(2)

(1). Forestry and Environment Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.(2). Biotechnology Department, General Commission for Scientific and Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Samer Nasser. E-Mail: nasersamer156@gmail.com).

Received: 27/03/2018                                Accepted: 05/09/2018

Abstract

The study was conducted between 2015 and 2017 on 26 species of Ceratonia siliqua L. at four locations viz. AL Dakaka, Wadi Qandil, Um Al-Toyoor and Al-Baseet, in the north-western region of Latakia governorate, Syria in order to study some chemical properties in the pods and seeds of these species. For total sugars (%), the highest percentage was found in T8 pods (57.7%) followed by the D3 (56.9%). The percentage of protein in the pods ranged between (5- 8.2%) and seeds (25-33%) where T8 recorded the highest values. The highest fat value was found in T8 (1.83%) and D3 (3.75%). The percentage of dry matter in the pods ranged from 12.15% in K3 and 8.16% in T1. These genotypes differed genetically more than because of environmental conditions because the locations of the study were geographically close. The genotypes were distributed within the relationship tree in three groups, the first included 3 genotypes and the third contains 9 genotypes from all the study locations. In contrast, the second group included 4 genotypes from the locations of Um Al-Toyoor, Wadi Qandil and Al-Dakaka.

Key words: Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.), Chemical composition, Sugars, Protein, Fat, Dry matter, genotypes.

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Phytochemical Detection and Antimicrobial Activity of Centaurea ptosimopappa

Abdel Aleem Bello(1) and Tawfik Al-Boshi*(2)

(1). Plant Bilolgy Department, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(2). Depatment of Renewable Natural Resources and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Tawfik Al-Boshi. E-Mail: dr.tawfik69@gmail.com).

Received: 20/02/2018                                Accepted: 11/04/2018

Abstract

The goal of the study was to detect the presence of active ingredients and the antimicrobial activity in the extracts of two different groups of Centaurea ptosimopappa Hayek, which are bald and furry, using thin layer chromatographic method and diffusion method within Agar well. This study was accomplished at Faculty of Science, Aleppo University. Phytochemical detection showed the presence of alkaloids, anthocyanins, tannins and steroidal triterpenes in the extracts of bald Centaurea ptosimopappa Hayek. While tannins, steroidal triterpenes, cardiac glycosides and flavonoids were detected in the extracts of furry group. Antimicrobial activities of these extracts were determined by Agar well diffusion method. The extracts of furry Centaurea ptosimopappa Hayek were clearly more active than bald Centaurea ptosimopappa Hayek. For instance, when we used 80 µl of the chloroform extract of furry plants the diameter of the inhibition zone was more than 20 mm for Staphylococcus aureus, but only 13 mm was noticed when 80 µl of the chloroform extract was used of bald plants.

Keywords: Phytochemical detection, Antimicrobial activity, Plant extracts, Centaurea ptosimopappa.

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Growth and Biomass Study of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. in Merdash Location, Al-Ghab Province

 Bashar Tobo*(1) Hikmat Abbas(1) and Osama Radwan(1)

(1). Forestry and Environment Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Bashar Tobo. E-Mail: bashar.tobo33@gmail.com).

Received: 22/10/2018                                Accepted: 07/12/2018

Abstract

This research aimed to study the growth and biomass of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. in Al-Ghab region. Twenty-one circular samples were taken, the area of each sample was 400 m2. The following measurements were taken for each sample: trees number (N), diameter at breast height (dbh) and total trees height (H). Ten (10) trees were chosen covering all diameter classes, to estimate the form factor and to construct the biomass. Wood volume and mean annual increment of Eucalyptus trees were calculated. In addition to the above, total biomass was calculated using an exponential function. The results showed that mean of the form factor of Eucalyptus trees in the study area was about 0.41, while the wood volume value reached to 249.25 m3/ha with tree density of 208 trees/ha. The mean of annual increment was 3.89 m3/ha/year. The results of this study demonstrated that the study area had high total biomass value with about 318.71 ton/ha.

Key words: Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn., Wood productivity, Biomass, Form factor.

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The Effect of Some Topographic Factors on the Total Phenolic Content of Arbutus andrachne L. Fruit (Jableh District)

Diana Hmaidosh*(1) Mahmoud Ali(1) Rim Salame(2) and Aziza Youssef (2)

(1). Forestry and Ecology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Department of pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Diana Hmaidosh. E-Mail: dianah1983@gmail.com).

Received: 13/09/2018                                Accepted: 22/10/2018

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of some topographic factors on the phenolic contents of the Arbutus andrachne L. plant. Plant samples (fruit) were collected from three aspects (south, west and north) at four altitudes (0-300, 300-600, 600-900, and ˃900m) in the countryside of Jableh in 2017. The fresh samples were squeezed, then the total contents of the phenolic compounds were determined by spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, expressing the result in (mg gallic acid/100g fw) using spectrophotometer. The results showed that southern aspects recorded the highest yield of phenolic contents of fruits (40±0.53 mg/100g), followed by the western aspect (39.66±0.61 mg/100g), and finally the northern aspect (38.7±0.5mg/100g). Also it was noticed a gradual increase in phenolic contents in the first altitude (38.85±0.55 mg/100g), to the fourth altitude (40±0.8mg/100g). The results showed the effect of some topographic factors affected the phenolic contents of Arbutus andrachne L., where the phenolic contents from southern aspect were higher than that of the other aspects, and the fourth altitude (˃900m) was found to be the best in terms of the richness with phenolic compounds of the plant fruit of Arbutus andrachne L.

Key words: Arbutus andrachne L., Total phenolic, Altitude, Aspect.

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Morphological Characterization of Some Carob Certaonia siliqua L. Genotypes Naturally Dispersed in Al-Bassit Area (Latakia -Syria)

Samer Nasser*(1) Talal Ameen(1) and Hafez Mahfoud(2)

(1). Forestry and Environment Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(2). Directorate of Biotechnology, Latakia Research Center, General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research GCSAR, Damascus, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Eng. Samer Nasser. E-Mail: samer.na30@yahoo.com).

Received: 04/11/2018                                Accepted: 25/02/2018

Abstract

The study was conducted on 27 species of Ceratonia siliqua L. in the years 2014 and 2015 in the northwestern region of Latakia Governorate, which is considered one of the most important natural spread areas in Syria, in order to survay its spread and characterization morphologically to develop a classification key. The carob genotypes were surveyed in four locations (Daqaqa, Wadi Qandil, Um Al-Toyoor, and Al-Basset), and characterized morphologically based on 21 characteristics of the vegetative, syphilis, fruit and seed parts. The variation of the fruit tree was only 56%, and the cultivars were divided into three independent groups, compared to 53%, which were obtained by the analysis of the studied traits which were divided into five groups. The classification keys and morphological identity were obtained for the carob genotypes in the studied area. T8 genotype in Um Al-Toyoor location was superior in its fruits characters compared with the other genotypes.

Key words: Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.), Classification key, Morphological genotype, Cluster analysis.

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Evaluation of Natural Regeneration of Cedrus libani A. Richard in Some Afforested Sites in Tartous, Syria

Abeer Ibrahem*(1) Imad Qubaily(1) Ali Thabet(1) and Samaher damserko(1)

(1). Department of Forestry and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Latakia, Syria.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Abeer Ibrahem. E-Mail: ink_abeer@yahoo.com).

Received: 17/10/2017                                Accepted: 23/02/2018

Abstract

The research aims to study the situation of natural regeneration of the Cedrus libani A. in some afforested sites (Alnabe Matah, and Mawla Hassan) in Tartous, Syria; in order to determine the causes of weakness of the natural regeneration of Cedrus libani  in these sites, by checking the vigor of Cedrus libani  seeds through the germination under the influence of some environmental factors, and determine the status of the natural regeneration of Cedrus libani  in the studied sites. The germination tests showed a good vigor of Cedrus libani seeds which collected from afforested Cedrus libani forest stands. The seedlings stage is the main obstacle of the success of Cedrus libani natural regeneration; since most of the seedlings had died in the first year of their life because of the summer drought.

Key Words: Cedrus libani, natural regeneration, Alnabe Matah afforested site, Mawla Hassan afforested site, Tartous, Syria.

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