Medicinal Plants: Advances in Phytochemistry and Ethnobotany

Prance once defined Ethnobotany as an interdisciplinary Science combining Anthropology and Botany [...].

Prance once defined Ethnobotany as an interdisciplinary Science combining Anthropology and Botany [1]. However, it can also involve Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Nutrition, and other uses of plants by a traditional community. Furthermore, Ethnobotanical studies often consider ecological aspects of the traditional use of such plants, either because of their importance for the community environment or the non-rational exploitation of some species. Thus, Ethnobotany can bring together the know-how of a local community and scientific knowledge, contributing to achieving biocultural conservation [2]. Moreover, it can contribute to carrying plants from local markets to a global trade situation, valuing and preserving traditional knowledge.
In 2022, the global herbal medicines market was worth USD 170 billion, and the expectation is that this market has the potential to reach USD 600 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2023 to 2033 [3]. Considering dry herbs, such as oregano, rosemary, sage, savoury, mint, thyme, and bay leaves in the form of the whole plant or powdered material, the global market grew from USD 5.8 billion in 2022 to USD 6.17 billion in 2023 (a CAGR of 6.3%), and there is an expectation it will reach USD 7.93 billion in 2027 [4]. Considering more elaborate forms, such as capsules, tablets, and extracts, the global market forecast is USD 117 billion by 2029, with a CAGR of 7.3% [5].
This Special Issue of Plants, dedicated to Ethnobotany and Phytochemistry, received 27 manuscript submissions from almost all world regions. From those, 13 papers were of a high quality and were published. They comprise a wide range of Ethnobotany or Phytochemical aspects, mostly involving native species. Monari et al. (2022) analysed published Italian studies involving Ethnobotany and medicinal plants and collected data from 1117 species from 75 papers. The information helps to develop and preserve knowledge of those plants [6]. presenting agonism on both PPAR-α and PPAR-γ and its capacity to reduce the production of ROS, NO, and TNF-α on RAW 264.7 cells [11].
The isolation of natural compounds presenting pharmacological activity plays an important role in the valorisation of plants traditionally used as food or medicine. The cytotoxic activity of tylophorinidine, a phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid isolated from Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merr, an Indian native species, was described by Mostafa et al. (2022). The compound presented IC 50 values of 6.45, 4.77, and 20.08 µM in MCF-7, HepG2, and HCT-116 cell lines, respectively [12]. The in vitro cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of extracts from Marantodes pumilum Blume Kuntze, a Malaysian plant, as well as of an isolated compound from the chloroform fraction, 5-henicosene-1-yl-resorcinol, on prostate cancer cells (PC3) was shown by Hanafi et al. (2023). The authors found that the mechanism of action involves apoptosis, inhibition of both migration and invasion, and inhibition of angiogenesis [13]. Souza et al. (2023) showed the diuretic action of hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside from Citrus fruits, in hypertensive rats. The authors suggested that the activity is associated with the cholinergic pathway [14].
Finally, Sarapan et al. (2023) discussed some botanical aspects of Disporopsis longifolia Craib, a traditional Asian medicinal plant. The findings of this research are useful for the quality control of this plant drug [18].
Therefore, if well conducted, Ethnobotany research and the interaction between academics and traditional communities can help to preserve biodiversity, improve the local economy, and rescue and protect traditional knowledge.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization, D.S. and F.B.; writing-original draft preparation, D.S. and F.B.; writing-review and editing, D.S. and F.B.; visualization, D.S. and F.B. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Conflicts of Interest:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.