Hue and cry for Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don, a threatened medicinal plant in the Western Himalaya

The unique Himalayan ecosystems are repositories to the wild populations of diverse flora and fauna. The high value medicinal and aromatic plant species (MAPs) are an example of the same. Since time immemorial, these MAPs have been traditionally used by the local inhabitants and have eventually developed a high market value all over the world. Increasing market demand engenders over-extraction of species, unsustainable collection further catalyses decline in wild populations. The current communication raises high conservation concern on the rapid population decline of Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don in the Western Himalaya. Harvested and traded with a new trade name i.e., ‘Jangli lehsun’ probably to disguise common Allium species, the species is facing tremendous decline in wild populations due to its illegal harvesting and trade in Himachal Pradesh. Further, F. cirrhosa faces threat due to unorganized, over-extraction, unsustainable and premature harvesting of the bulbs, coupled with illegal hidden markets functioning parallelly. Considering that this valuable species is under multiple threats being a medicinally important plant, priority should be given for its conservation through in-situ such as identification of medicinal plant conservation areas and ex-situ methods for its propagation and multiplication. Further, to ensure the long-term conservation of Fritillaria cirrhosa, prioritized conservation strategies such as strengthening of the Biodiversity Management Committees, capacity building through awareness programs for the key stakeholders and sustainable harvesting would be the practical solution.

Dynamics to Enhance the Conservation of Locally Threatened Medicinal Plant Species (Maerua Oblongifolia) Through Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Study

Introduction: For generations, many plants were extracted to find drugs and to discover novel and new chemical structures from extracts. Maerua oblongifolia (Forsk.) A. Rich, “Sangganaa” in Dawuro language is a locally threatened traditional medicinal plant, which is traditionally used to treat diarrhea. The present study aimed to check the chemical contents of the different plant parts for possible shifting of the extensive use of the root to other parts of the plant.Methods: Phytochemical screening tests were carried out by standard procedures to investigate various classes of secondary metabolites. Roots, root bark, stem bark, and leaves were extracted by maceration in aqueous and ethanol to get crude extracts. Antibacterial effect of extracts against Escherichia coli and Salmonella thypi was evaluated by the disc diffusion method. Results: The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols, carbohydrates, and proteins in the tested parts of the plant. Antibacterial activity displayed the extracts of M. oblongifolia against tested bacteria strains in dose dependent manner. Among tested extracts, roots and stem barks ethanol extracts showed potential antibacterial activity, with zone of inhibitions (19.0 ± 1.15, 17.0 ±1.00) in 100 mg/mL, and (17.3 ± 0.57, 15.0 ± 1.00) in 50 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion: The finding showed a possibility to shift stem bark instead of roots in the use of traditional medicinal practices to ensure conservation and sustainable use of Maerua oblongifolia. The finding also supports the traditional use of the plant’s root or stem bark for the treatment of diarrhea.

Compliance Level of Textual Therapeutic Usage of Kshirakakoli Containing Formulations with a Serial Ethnomedicinal Survey and Modern System of Medicine

Fritillaria roylei (Kshirakakoli) is a primal plant used in ancient times. But nowadays, due to biotic and abiotic stress the plant has entered in the list of threatened medicinal plant. In ancient texts effective uses of formulations containing kshirakakoli are well mentioned but the information is not written in simple language due to which the therapeutic value of the plant is not well understood by scientific fraternity. So, there is a major need to perform ethno medicinal survey for the formulations containing kshirakakoli and compare their therapeutic uses as mentioned in text with the modern system of medicine. In this study, a field survey was performed in 4 states i.e., Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh where the conversation regarding usage of this plant or formulation was done with 24 local medical practitioners, 18 shopkeepers and 4 traditional healers. The information thus obtained were recorded and then compared. Results showed that the usage of kshirakakoli containing formulations was highest in Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand. Only few clinical studies have been done on these formulations. The effectiveness of the formulations against remedies alluded by the trado-medical practitioners claimed was found accurate as per ayurvedic textual literature. Hence, the ethno medicinal survey provides a precise guidance to scientists for future research on these kshirakakoli containing formulations that are useful in plethora of disorders.

Population assessment and habitat distribution modelling of the threatened medicinal plant Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth. in the Kumaun Himalaya, India

Kumaun Himalaya is a home to various threatened medicinal and aromatic plants. Picrorhiza kurroa is a threatened medicinal plant useful in curing many diseases in Indian Himalayan region. Due to overharvesting from the wild its population is decreasing at an alarming rate. The present study attempted to assess its availability and predict highly suitable areas for in situ conservation in the alpine region of Kumaun. Availability of P. kurroa across various meadows was evaluated through rapid mapping exercise. MaxEnt model was used to predict the geographical distribution of the species using various environmental and physiographic parameters, and 29 primary distribution points. The results reveal that potential habitat of P. kurroa is located near forest fringes. Of the 3,828km2 area (vegetated) of the alpine region of Kumaun, about 202km2 is recorded highly suitable, 489km2 less suitable and the rest not suitable for the species. It is also revealed that Napalchu nala, Panchachuli base, Chhipla Kedar, Rongkong, Ralam, Milam, Dwali, and Pindari areas are highly suitable areas for distribution of P. kurroa.

Hue and Cry for Fritillaria Cirrhosa D.Don, A Threatened Medicinal Plant in the Western Himalaya

The unique Himalayan ecosystems have given rise to highly adapted organisms and are repositories to the wild populations of diverse flora and fauna. The high value medicinal and aromatic plant species are an example of the same. Since time immemorial, these plants have been traditionally used by the local inhabitants and have eventually developed a high market value all over the world. Increasing market demand engenders over-extraction of species, unsustainable collection further catalyses decline in wild populations. The current communication raises high conservation concern on the rapid population decline of Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don in the Western Himalaya. Harvested and traded with a new trade name i.e., ‘Jangli lehsun’ probably to disguise common Allium species, the species is facing tremendous decline in wild populations due to its illegal harvesting and trade in Himachal Pradesh. Further, Fritillaria cirrhosa faces threat due to unorganized, over-extraction or unsustainable and premature harvesting of the bulbs, coupled with illegal and hidden markets functioning parallelly. To ensure the long-term conservation of Fritillaria cirrhosa, prioritised conservation strategies such as strengthening of the Biodiversity Management Committees, in-situ conservation through identification of medicinal plant conservation areas, capacity building through awareness programs for the key stakeholders and sustainable harvesting would be the practical solution.

Vaibidang (Embelia ribes): A Potential Herbal Drug in Ayurveda with Anthelmintic Property

Embelia ribes is commonly known as vaibidang or false black pepper is a significant medicinal plant that belongs to the family Myrsinaceae. The ancient Ayurveda physician, Sushruta described that the fruit of E. ribes plant possesses anthelmintic property and is used as a tonic along with the licorice root, which prevents aging and helps in strengthening the body. The fruit of the plant is used in various ayurvedic formulations where it is used as a carminative, anthelmintic, alterative and as stimulant. Due to the overexploitation of the plant, it is considered a threatened medicinal plant. Traditionally, the plant is used as an analgesic, antibacterial, antipyretic, antifertility and anthelmintic agent. Various parts of the plant like roots, berries and leaves of E. ribes plant are used in different herbal formulations. In Ayurveda, it is used to cure skin diseases, abdominal pains, flatulence, worms, mental disorders, tumors, bronchitis, jaundice, cardio disorders and is used as a brain tonic. Embelin is considered as the major chemical constituent isolated from the Embelia ribes plant. In this review, a brief view of the plant is briefly described related to its ayurvedic and folk uses. The reported pharmacological properties of the plant are also defined.

An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants used in the Management of Dermatological Disorders in Buyende and Kayunga Districts, Uganda

This study was done to document medicinal plants used in the management of dermatological disorders. Documentation of plants is important for conservation especially of rare and endangered plant species. The study was done in Buyende and Kayunga districts in Uganda, between April and July 2017. Data was obtained using semi-structured questionnaires and group discussions, performed on 63 respondents (33 females; 30 males) who were purposively selected because of their expertise in plant use. The study recorded 111 plant species that belong to 46 plant families for treatment of 30 skin disorders. The dominant life form was herb (41%), while leaves were the most used parts (59 %). Majority of plants (72%) were harvested from their natural habitats. Family Fabaceae contributed the highest number of species (20). Milicia excelsa was recorded to be threatened with extinction. The most cited diseases were skin rash (14%), wounds (12%), syphilis (9%), allergy (9%) and ring worm (7%). The plant species with high percent respondent knowledge were Hoslundia opposita, cited by 83% of the people; Bidens pilosa (76%) and Jatropha carcus (56%) all for treating wounds. Topical application (90%) was the common mode of administering herbal remedies, while decoction was least used to prepare remedies. Plants are important in the management of dermatological disorders by local communities in the study areas. The diversity of medicinal plant species used in these areas is based on the rich traditional knowledge of the local communities. There is need to domesticate the rare and threatened medicinal plant species to avoid extinction. Plant species with high percent respondent knowledge can be considered for further studies to identify key active compounds important to develop natural based skin care products.

An assessment of the population status of the threatened medicinal plant Illicium griffithii Hook.f. & Thomson in West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Illicium griffithii Hook.f. & Thomson, a medicinal plant of the family Schisandraceae, is an Endangered species listed by the IUCN. A decline in population of this plant due to climate change as well as increasing human influences on the natural resources has been a matter of great concern among the researchers. In order to estimate the existing population of this plant, a field-based study employing linear transect method was conducted in four phases, May–June 2017, May–June 2018, April–May 2019, October–November 2019 covering an area of 700km² (approx.) in West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh that lies within the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. The study recorded 3,044 live individuals of I. griffithii including 1,372 seedlings, 1,358 saplings, and only 314 mature trees. Additionally, 126 dead trees were also recorded. The study confirmed that the plant has a good regeneration rate but with a poor survival rate of saplings. Besides, large-scale collection of its fruits for trade and anthropogenic disturbances in the study area appears to be the major threat to its existing population. Therefore, proper training of the local people on large-scale cultivation of this plant together with awareness towards judicious harvesting of fruits from the wild may be the significant approach to conservation.