Background: Ethnobotanical survey in the rural villages in Nepal revealed that the fruits of Rhus chinensis Mill. have been using for the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery. Objective: To evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, and identification of chemical constituents in the fruits of R. chinensis. Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening was performed on the hexane and 70% methanolic extracts of the sample followed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). Total phenolic content (TPC) was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu method. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. Antibacterial effect was estabilished by the Agar well diffusion assay. Results: A total of 30 compounds belonging to phenolics, anhydrides, aldehydes, fatty acids and hydrocarbons were identified in the extracts. The TPC value of 123.52±1.29 mg GAE/g dry extract was estimated. IC 50 value of 135.54±0.82 µg/mL was calculated in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Scavenging of 42.69±0.1% DPPH free radical and 63.20±1.48% hydrogen peroxide at 100 µg/mL concentration of 70% methanolic extract were estimated. The maximum zone of inhibition (ZOI) observed was 23.00±0.57 mm against Escherichia coli at loading dose of 5 mg of the extract. Conclusion: All together 30 compounds were identified in the fruits. The extracts efficiently inhibited the growth of E. coli and Shigella dysenteriae verifying the rural knowledge. At the same time, the extracts displayed efficient antioxidant activity. The phytochemicals identified were responsible for these activities.

Ethnobotanical survey in the Magar villages in Nawalpur district, Gandaki province, Nepal revealed that root of Phanera vahlii (Wight & Arn.) Benth, bark of Rhododendron arboreum Sm. and flower of Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz, have been in use for diarrhea and dysentery. Root of Thalictrum foliolosum DC. has been used for the treatment of rheumatic pain. The study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial and antioxidant effects as well as total phenol content in Phanera vahlii, Rhododendron arboreum, Woodfordia fruticosa and Thalictrum foliolosum. Total phenol content (TPC) was estimated using Folin-Ciocalteu method. 2, 2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays were used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. Antibacterial effect was established by the Agar well diffusion assay. The minimum TPC value of 65.78±3.44 mg GAE/g dry extract was estimated in 70% methanolic extract of Thalictrum foliolosum and maximum TPC value of 258.40±6.26 mg GAE/g dry extract was estimated in 70% methanolic extract of Woodfordia fruticosa. IC50 value range 21.59±0.26 µg/ml in Rhododendron arboreum to 1124.79±3.69 µg/ml in Thalictrum foliolosum was calculated in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Scavenging of DPPH free radical range from 12.40% to 94% at 100 µg/mL concentration of 70% methanolic extracts were estimated and scavenging of hydrogen peroxide range from 36% to 73%. The maximum zone of inhibition (ZOI) against Escherichia coli at loading dose of 5 mg of the extract observed was 18±0.73 mm by 70% methanolic extract of Woodfordia fruticosa and its minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was <1.56 µg /ml.The extracts efficiently inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli verifying the rural knowledge. At the same time, the extracts displayed efficient antioxidant activity.

Magars are one of the oldest tribes in Nepal having indigenous knowledge of health care practices. Dhaubadi VDC is homogenously inhabited with Magars. There are authentic healers and elder people having knowledge of traditional health care practices. Data of traditional knowledge about Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, Premna barbata Wall ex Schaureand Lagestroemia parviflora Roxb. were collected with voucher specimens. Antimicrobial tests of these crude plant extracts were done against Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Salmonella typhi, klebsiella pneumoniae andEscherichia coli) bacteria. Aqueous extract of L. parviflora showed antimicrobial test against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Extract of O. indicum showed antimicrobial property against tested bacteria. Leaf extract of P. barbata showed antimicrobial property against S.typhi, S. aureus and E. coli but not to B. subtilis. The result of the research scientifically validated the traditional use of these plants as medicines.