Seed Breaking Dormancy Technique and Growth of Screw Tree (Helicteres isora Linn.) seedlings

Screw tree is a shrub from family Malvaceae that has many benefits in pharmacy. Screw tree seed has very hard seed coat, so the seed must be treated before germination. The aim of this research was to assess the characteristic of fruit and seeds, effect of seed breaking dormancy, and effect of NPK fertilizer dosage on the growth of screw tree (Helicteres isora) seedlings. The results indicated that screw tree fruits belong to dry fruits with capsule form and has 5 follicles that has different direction. Screw tree seed is orthodox type that has 9 ̶ 36 seeds in one follicle with triangle and square shape. Germination technique in laboratory with soaking the seeds in hot water 100oC until the water cool for 48 hours treatment produced the best germination amounting to 65.0%. Germination technique in green house with soaking the seeds in hot water 100oC until the water cool for 24 hours treatment was the best germination amounting to 77.0%. Seedlings fertilized with 1 g NPK doses increased screw tree growth in diameter parameter of 6.35 mm and shoot-root ratio parameter of 3.9 compared to control.

Seed Breaking Dormancy Technique and Growth of Screw Tree (Helicteres isora Linn.) Seedlings

Screw tree is a shrub from family Malvaceae that has many benefits in pharmacy. Screw tree seed has very hard seed coat, so the seed must be treated before germination. The aim of this research was to assess the characteristic of fruit and seeds, effect of seed breaking dormancy, and effect of NPK fertilizer dosage on the growth of screw tree (Helicteres isora) seedlings. The results indicated that screw tree fruits belong to dry fruits with capsule form and has 5 follicles that has different direction. Screw tree seed is orthodox type that has 9 ̶ 36 seeds in one follicle with triangle and square shape. Germination technique in laboratory with soaking the seeds in hot water 100oC until the water cool for 48 hours treatment produced the best germination amounting to 65.0%. Germination technique in green house with soaking the seeds in hot water 100oC until the water cool for 24 hours treatment was the best germination amounting to 77.0%. Seedlings fertilized with 1 g NPK doses increased screw tree growth in diameter parameter of 6.35 mm and shoot-root ratio parameter of 3.9 compared to control.

Hepatoprotective Activity of Helicteres isora Ethanol Extract Against Paracetamol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Helicteres isora L. is a medicinal plant which is used in several diseases, such as snake-bite, dog-bite, diarrhoea and constipation in a new born baby, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, cancer, and infections. This plant has also been used in the management of liver damage through traditional medicine. However, the hepatoprotective activity of H. isora L. ethanolic extract has not been reported so much. The present work was carried to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of H. isora L. against paracetamol-induced liver injury in Swiss mice. Paracetamol (PCM) is widely used as an analgesic and antipyretic drug which at high dose can lead to undesirable side effects, such as hepatotoxicity. Paracetamol induce hepatotoxicity was evaluated by an increase (P<0.05) in AST and ALT serum activity. Paracetamol hepatotoxicity was also manifested by an increase in (P<0.05) lipid peroxidation and depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue. Ethanol extract of H. isora L. (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw/day) significantly restored the PCM-induced alterations in the biochemical activities of blood and liver tissues. The hepatoprotective effect of H. isora L. was also confirmed by the histopathological examination of liver tissue. Histopathological examination of liver sections in mice administered with 1000 mg/kg bw/day doses of the extract were perfectly protected almost similar to those of untreated mice. The results indicated the hepatoprotective nature of studied plants extract against paracetamol induced toxicity. Our study scientifically validates the folkloric claim as well as traditional uses of H. isora L. as hepatoactive medicine. The results of this study suggests a new direction in the treatment of liver disease in future.

Pharmacognostic and Pharmacological Study of Helicteres isora. Linn. - A Review

Aim: In this article we compiled the whole plant of Helicteres.isora Linn showed excellent medicinal merits from ancient time belonging to the family Sterculiacea, which commonly known as murud sheng. Study Design: The Pharmacognostic study i.e. microscopic and macroscopic study with preliminary phytochemical test on different parts of plant performed in a Datta Meghe college of pharmacy,Datta meghe Institute of Medical sciences, Wardha, in collaboration with Balkh university,Mazar-e-Sharif during the period of January 2021 to Septmber 2021. Methodology: In the preliminary study focus on all pharmacognostic, by microscopic identification,by TLC, HPTLC by fingerprint application and phytochemical test of root extract, stem, leaf and fruit powder from different researchers study, which showed the presence of carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids, cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, tannins, essential oil etc which shows number of medicinal merits Results: During the study all investigators investigate, different region shows minute change in organoleptic charecteristics as well as phytochemical constituents and pharmacological study exhibits activities like Fruit showed Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic activity, Bark extract showed Antihelmintic activity , Root extract as Anticancer. Conclusion: According to study we conclude that Helicteres Isora Linn whole plant parts as well chemical constituents in every part is effective and used medicinally so further investigations are necessary to find out the active bio active molecules responsible to cure different disorders

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and planting media on seedlings growth of Helicteres isora L. in the nursery

A screw tree (Helicteres isora L.) is a small/large shrub species that grows and spreads in many Asian countries, including Indonesia (NTT and Maluku). It is a medicinal plant commonly used to treat many diseases, such as bleeding and constipation. This study aimed to determine the effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and planting media on the growth of screw tree seedlings in a nursery. This research was conducted at Bogor Forest Research and Development Center’s nursery, Indonesia. This study consisted of two factors: AM fungi with three levels, namely control, Glomus aggregatum and Glomus clarum and growth media with two levels, namely mixed media of soil: rice husk charcoal (2:1) and mixed soil of media: rice husk charcoal: cocopeat (2:1:1). The results showed that treatment of G. aggregatum and soil mixed of media: rice husk charcoal: cocopeat (2:1:1) was significantly different from other treatments except for G. clarum and soil mixture of media: rice husk charcoal: cocopeat (2:1:1) that significantly increased height, diameter and dry weight of seedlings and the values were 97, 56, 126 and 46, 37, 127% compared to the control. Mycorrhizal dependency of screw tree was very high (126 and 127%). Generally, interaction treatment of G. clarum and mixed media of soil: rice husk charcoal: cocopeat (2:1:1) increased the growth of 11-month-old screw tree in the nursery.

Medicinal plant domestication of kayu ules (Helicteres isora Linn.) through stem cuttings: An additional prospective livelihood for the farmer at Bosen Village, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Kayu ules (Helicteres isora) or screw tree has bioactive compounds benefiting for anti-diabetes, antioxidant and antibacterial. In Indonesia, the fruits have been commercially harnessed for traditional medicine. The benefit of kayu ules has attracted some farmers to evolve this species in their garden, however, the domestication technique has not mastered well yet. Therefore, this study aimed to domesticate kayu ules under a home garden (HG) and analyze the feasibility of cultivating kayu ules through stem cuttings. Kayu ules development underwent two split HG’s: tree shade (HG1) and open area (HG2). Other nursery performances at each home garden were made with no shade (N1), with shading net (N2) and a coco-leaf shade (N3). The result showed that within 60 days on HG1, the best survival was on N2 with 76% of survival and declined on N1 at 30%. Conversely, under HG2, N1 gave the best survival compared to N2, 81% and 46% each. Meanwhile, N3 was in between N1 and N2 on HG1 (56%) and HG2 (58%). The shading treatments, which allowed 20 to 40 % sunlight to pass through, effectively increased the survival of stem cuttings. According to an online market platform at the highest price, nursery N1 delivered the highest IRR at 106% and the second was on N3, followed by N2, which were 104% and 85%, respectively.

EFFECT OF STEM DIAMETER, MEDIA TYPE AND LIGHT INTENSITY ON THE GROWTH OF MEDICINAL PLANT OF SCREW TREE/KAYU ULES (Helicteres isora Linn.)

Screw tree (Helicteres isora) is a shrub species (Fam: Malvaceae) with 1.5–4 m in height and with multi-main trunks up to 9–12. In Indonesia, kayu ules has been used as a traditional medicine, known as jamu, and has been commercialized. In order to cultivate this species, vegetative propagation is likely promising compared to the generative propagation since seed viability is low and cannot be stored for longterm. Nevertheless, there is a lack of information on which diameter classes, media types and light intensities would give the best result for vegetative propagation. This research aimed to obtain information on which diameter classes and media that were suitable for kayu ules stem cutting propagation and to what degree the light intensity would be best for the growth of the seedlings of kayu ules. Three diameter classes and four media types were employed in a complete random design under the greenhouse environment. Three months old good quality vegetatively-propagated seedlings were transplanted under two light intensities (under transparent canopy and shading net). The result showed that considering the factor of diameter classes and media in kayu ules stem cutting propagation, it had improved the survival of the stem cutting. Diameter class I was best grown in media type 3 with 46.67 ± 12.2 % of survival rate, diameter class II was best grown in media type 2 with 38.67 ± 11.6 % of survival rate, whereas diameter class III was best grown in media type 4 with 52 ± 6.9 % of survival rate. The transplanted seedlings also grew significantly better under transparent canopy with higher light intensity. The distinctive features of screw tree under shading net were wider leaf area, higher specific leaf area and relative water content but it was lower in above ground dry biomass compared to the kayu ules under transparent canopy.

Diet and Nurturing Behavior of Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus Linn.) in Some Selected Habitat of Northern Odisha, India

The Asian elephant's (Elephas maximus) nurturing behavior with food fondness was deliberate in Northern land of Odisha during February 2017 to December 2019.The foremost objective of the existing survey is to document the forage plant species intake by Asian elephants. Though the respective study area harbors a noble quantity of plant types, only 146 species were identified as fodder plants which have been consumed by elephants in this survey period. The food path of elephant was identified as branch flouting, bark flaking, twig infringement, flower tugging and stem twisting and uprooting in different regions of study area throughout altered seasons. Adaptation of principally browsing strategy with that of grazing around the year was related to seasonal variation of diet plants as per the availability. This survey elucidates that total 146 species of forest plants belongs to 55 Families and 19 species of non-forest plant belongs to 8 Families. The extensive consumable plant species by elephants i.e. Aegle marmelos (Bel), Careya arbore (Kumbhi), Bauhinia racemosa, Kydia calycina, Bauhinia vahli(Siali), Helicteres isora(Orola), Madhuca indica (Mahulo), Zizyphus mauritiona (BaraKoli), Artocarpus heterophyllus (Panasa), Shorea robust(Sal),Limonia acidissima (Kendu), Smilax zeylanica (Muturi) and Diosporea species. They were affectionate fruits of Mangifera indica and Artocarpus heterophyllus in summer, bamboo during rainy and Madhuca indica during winter. Minuscular analysis of elephant’s dung showing an extraordinary variation in typical dicot- monocot proportion recommended that the food plant collection of elephant was extremely seasonal and unscrupulous.

First records of Heteroglenea nigromaculata (Thomson, 1865) (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Saperdini) from India

We collected the longhorn beetle Heteroglenea nigromaculata (Thomson, 1865) (Cerambycidae, Lamiinae, Saperdini) for the first time in India. The presence of this species in Kerala, South India, considerably extends its distribution to the west. Though H. nigromaculata is known from adjacent countries such as China, Thailand, and Myanmar, it has not been documented from North or Northeast India. Adults were found in association with the Indian Screw Tree, Helicteres isora L. (Sterculiaceae). We include photographs of living H. nigromaculata and brief comments on morphology and colouration.