02939nas a2200265 4500008004100000245009000041210006900131260001400200300001200214490000700226520207600233653002502309653001302334653002102347653002202368653002102390653002602411100003002437700003502467700003602502700002202538700003402560700003902594856004002633 2026 eng d00aPreserving Traditional Knowledge: Cultural Erosion of Plants Used Against Parasitosis0 aPreserving Traditional Knowledge Cultural Erosion of Plants Used cJune 2026 a201-2070 v183 a

Background: Medicinal plants are a primary healthcare resource in rural and suburban communities, particularly for infectious diseases such as intestinal parasitosis. However, traditional knowledge is increasingly threatened by urbanization and limited intergenerational transmission. This study aimed to document and analyze the ethnopharmacological knowledge of medicinal plants used for parasitosis in five suburban communities of Campeche, Mexico, and to assess its conservation status. Methods: A crosssectional descriptive study was conducted using 247 semi-structured interviews in Castamay, Nohakal, Tikinmul, Kobén, and Imí. Data on plant knowledge, use, preparation, cultivation, and transmission were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and ethnobotanical indices, including relative frequency of mention (RFM), relative frequency of citation (RFC), and community knowledge index (CI). Results: A total of 76% of respondents reported knowledge of at least one antiparasitic medicinal plant. The most cited species were Dysphania ambrosioides, Cocos nucifera, Origanum vulgare, Artemisia vulgaris, and Ricinus communis. Most plants were also used as food or condiments, although D. ambrosioides was specifically recognized for its antiparasitic properties. Higher CI values were observed in Castamay (4.29), Tikinmul (3.87), and Nohakal (3.80), whereas lower values were found in Kobén (2.89) and Imí (3.30). Knowledge transmission and cultivation practices were limited across communities. Conclusions: Suburban communities in Campeche retain relevant ethnopharmacological knowledge; however, lower knowledge indices in more urbanized communities suggest ongoing cultural erosion. These findings highlight the need to strengthen documentation, intergenerational transmission, and sustainable management of medicinal plants to support both biodiversity conservation and culturally appropriate public health strategies.

10aAntiparasitic Plants10aCampeche10aCultural Erosion10aEthnopharmacology10aMedicinal plants10aTraditional Knowledge1 ade Jesus, Mex, Alvarez Ra1 aMagali, Guillen-Morales, Maria1 aMargarita, Garma-Quen, Patricia1 aDavid, Yanez-Nava1 aEnrique, Chan-Martinez, Roger1 aEzequiel, Varela-Villacis, Eduardo uhttps://www.phcogj.com/article/2611