title: Ethnomedicinal survey of various communities residing in Garo Hills of Durgapur, Bangladesh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Garo Hills represents one of earliest human habitation in Bangladesh preserving its ancient cultures due to the geographic location. It is situated in the most northern part of Durgapur sub-district having border with Meghalaya of India. Durgapur is rich in ethnic diversity with Garo and Hajong as the major ethnic groups along with Bangalee settlers from the mainstream population. Thus the ethnomedicinal practice in Garo Hills is considered rich as it encompasses three different groups. Present survey was undertaken to compile the medicinal plant usage among the various communities of the Garo Hills.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ethnomedicinal data was collected through open and focussed group discussions, and personal interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. A total of 185 people were interviewed, including the three community people and their traditional health practitioners (THPs). The usage of the plants were further analysed and are presented as use value (UV), informant consensus factor (ICF) and fidelity level (FL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 71 plants from 46 families and 64 genera were documented during our survey. Gastrointestinal disorders represented the major ailment category with the use of 36 plant species followed by dermatological problems (25 species). The ICF ranged from 0.90 to 0.99, with an average value of 0.96. Leaves (41) were the principle source of medication followed by fruits (27). Trees (33) were the major plant type used in the ethnobotanical practice. A total of 25 plants showed high FL (70.91 to 100 %) with 12 plants showing maximum FL (100 %). A number of the plants appear to have unique ethnomedicinal uses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Present investigation revealed a rich traditional practice in the studied region, which provides primary health care to the local community. This compilation of the ethnobotanical knowledge can help researchers to identify the uses of various medicinal plants that have a long history of use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University, Santosh-1902, Bangladesh. arifkhanbge35@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Md Arif
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. khairul08ku@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Md Khirul
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. saeed_2567@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Md Afjalus
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Siraj
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. sanjibsaha1991@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sanjib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. barman.ku08@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Apurba Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Barman
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia. khalijah@um.edu.my.
authors.forename: Khalijah
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Awang
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. dipti0103@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Md Mustafizur
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh. jamilshilpi@yahoo.com.|Centre for Natural Products and Drug, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 50603, Malaysia. jamilshilpi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Jamil A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shilpi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh. rownak86@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Rownak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jahan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh. erenaislam@outlook.com.
authors.forename: Erena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, 1209, Bangladesh. rahamatm@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahmatullah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh; D019448:Ethnobotany; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000145:classification*; D044382:Population Groups; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts