Ethnomedicinal Uses and Preliminary Phytochemical Validation of Iris decora Wall.: Bridging Indigenous Knowledge and Scientific Evidence

Abstract

Iris decora Wall (Iridaceae) is a Himalayan medicinal plant widely used by indigenous communities in Nepal and neighboring regions for the treatment of gum disorders, gastrointestinal conditions, and inflammatory diseases. However, its traditional uses remain poorly validated through scientific studies. This study aimed to document the ethnomedicinal uses of I. decora in Jumla, Nepal, and to provide preliminary phytochemical validation through solvent extraction and qualitative screening. Ethnomedicinal data were collected using semi-structured interviews with local practitioners and farmers (n = 6). Plant rhizome was cleaned, dried, and extracted using solvents of varying polarity (methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, hexane, and water). Extractive yield was calculated, and standard qualitative phytochemical tests were performed to detect major classes of secondary metabolites. The ethnomedicinal survey revealed that the rhizome is the most commonly used plant part, applied for gum swelling, toothache, constipation, abdominal pain, and infections. Methanol extraction yielded the highest extractive value (33.5%), followed by ethanol (25.5%), indicating the efficiency of polar solvents. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract showed a strong presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and glycosides, while saponins were weakly present and steroids and proteins were absent. The findings provide preliminary scientific support for the traditional uses of I. decora, particularly in the management of inflammatory, infectious, and gastrointestinal conditions. Further studies involving compound isolation, bioactivity evaluation, and clinical validation are necessary to establish its therapeutic potential. This study highlights the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific validation for future drug discovery.