title: An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by tribal and native people of Madhupur forest area, Bangladesh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Madhupur forest area, Tangail is one of early human settlements in Bangladesh. Having abode in the vicinity of the forest, a strong ethnobotanical practice has prevailed in this area since ancient time. Due to the rapid deforestation during the last few decades, many plants have already disappeared or are facing extinction. Thus we attempted to document the medicinal plant use of Madhupur forest area with a view to preserve the ethnobotanical knowledge and in order to protect the biodiversity of this area.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fieldwork was conducted during a period of 1 year. Data was collected by interview, questionnaire, and group discussion with randomly selected informants including indigenous, tribal people, and Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs) living in the study area. Recorded plants are listed along with their indication, part used, form of preparation and use value (UV). Results were also analysed to determine informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL) of the plants on the basis of their use under various ailment categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present study has documented 78 medicinal plant species from 45 families used for the treatment of at least 77 different major and minor ailments and conditions. Medicinal plant species were categorised as tree, shrub, tuber, herb, and climber. Leaves were found to be the most frequently used plant part while decoction is the major form of preparation. In most cases preparations are either administered orally or applied topically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study revealed that some of the well-known medicinal plants are used extensively demonstrating an effective ethnobotanical practice in the study area. Plants with high ICF and FL values can be subjected to bioassay guided investigation while plants which scored low UVs require bioactivity screening to justify their use for the reported ailment.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Khirul
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Sanjib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Khalit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mohamad
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Khalijah
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Awang
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast campus, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Shaikh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jamal Uddin
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Mustafizur
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh; Centre for Natural Products and Drug, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: jamilshilpi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Jamil A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shilpi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001459:Bangladesh; D003625:Data Collection; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000145:classification; D044382:Population Groups; D014197:Trees; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Fidelity level; Garo tribe; Indigenous knowledge; Informant consensus factor; Traditional health practitioners; Use value