Pharmacognostical fingerprinting and selective bioactivity studies of Solanum glaucophyllum Desf.

Solanum glaucophyllum Desf. (Solanaceae) is traditionally used for curing several health conditions in both human and domesticated animals. There is no data available regarding pharmacognostic standardization and pharmacological activity of this less known medicinal plant. Therefore, the aim of the present work is to prepare pharmacognostic fingerprints of crude drugs obtained from the leaf and stem parts of S. glaucophyllum. Apart from this detailed phytochemical analysis, antioxidant and antimicrobial studies have also been carried out. Pharmacognostic study revealed that the leaves are amphistomatic and stomata are strictly of anisocytic type. Values of stomatal index, palisade ratio, ash content of the investigated parts are found distinct and can be used as pharmacognostic standards for evaluation of crude drugs of this medicinal plant. Phytochemical studies of the leaf and stem parts indicated that phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids are present in quite impressible amount. Curcumin content in stem was found very high through HPLC analysis. In DPPH radical scavenging assay, the stem part showed significant antioxidant potential. Ethanol extract of stem produced maximum inhibition zone (11mm) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the concentration of 50 mg/ml among five test microorganisms. Some pharmacognostic features recorded in this study as diagnostic ones will help in proper identification of this ethnomedicinal plant in its fresh as well as dried form. On the other hand preliminary phytochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial studies highlight the S. glaucophyllum as a promising candidate for bioprospecting.

Ethnomedicine for stomach ache by the tribes of Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh

The paper deals with 31 species of plants covering 31 genera from 23 families used by the Savara, Jatapu, Konda dora, Gadaba, Kuttiya and Yerukula tribes of Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh for curing stomach ache. Family-wise analysis showed that the dominance of Rubiaceae with 4 species followed by Sterculiaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Asclepiadaceae, Acanthaceae (each 2) and others. Herbs are dominant with 12 species followed by trees (9), shrubs (8) and others. Root is used in 13 practices followed by leaf (7), stem bark (5) and others. 7 practices were found to be new or less known. The study is undertaken since there are no such ones in the region.

Ethnobiological knowledge and socio-biodiversity value among Kutia-Kandha tribe of Odisha, India

A study on the socio-biodiversity was conducted in Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) and nearby areas of Odisha, where the population of Kutia-Kandha tribe is dominant. It was found that, forest has provided tribes with enough materials traditional used for therapeutic purpose. Information from secondary sources by interviews were conducted in eight villages surrounding Kotagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, in which 34 males, 22 females in the age group of 35 -75 and 8 therapeutic practitioners of Kutia-Kandha tribe of Odisha were consulted. The tribes reported 54 different diseases, cured from 52 plant species belonging to 51 genera and 32 families, which are used for ethnomedicinal practices. The Fabaceae found to be the dominant family among plants used for medicinal purpose, whereas for ethnozoological use, a total of 8 mammalian species were used for curing 17 different diseases, most of them are either threatened or endangered species. This paper narrates the enthnobiology and socio-biodiversity aspects of Kutia-Kandha community of Odisha, along with suggestions for alternate source of medicines for the Kutia-Kandha, to reduce dependency on forest produce and reduce hunting of wildlife.

Indigenous artificial limb of Bombax ceiba L. (Bombacaceae) wood-A novel ethnobotanical use

Bombax ceiba L. (Semal) is a large, deciduous tree which is very popular among indigenous communities for its multidimensional importance. It is not only a part of various socio-cultural rituals and traditions but also a part of ethnomedicine. Its wood, silk-cotton and seed-oil are very valuable in commerce. The present communication is about documentation of a novel use of wood of B. ceiba for preparation of an artificial limb from a tribal dominated region Kotra, near Udaipur, Rajasthan. This use of its wood has been reported for the first time and opens up the newer avenues to utilize the economic potential of the tree as a novel bio-resource.

Folklore use of Osbeckia species from Munnar hills, Kerala

The genus Osbeckia of Melastomataceae was named by Carl Linnaeus, for the Swedish explorer and naturalist Pehr Osbeck. Osbeckias are native to Eastern Asia and found in China, Japan, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka and Australasia. Most species were documented as herbal remedies for curing many human diseases. In India the genus comprises about 22 species out of which 12 species are reported from Kerala. Most of the species are small shrubs and have gained medicinal status in folklore belief from India, China, and Indonesia. Ethnopharmacologically, the leaves, shoots, barks, seeds, and roots of Melastomataceae members have been used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, cuts and wounds, toothache, and stomachache. The coloured floral extracts of various genera also revealed wide pharmacological actions such as anti-nociceptive, anti-in?ammatory, wound healing, antidiarrhoeal, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities. Many phytochemical constituents including anthocyanins were isolated and identified from different parts of Melastoma and Memycylon species. Thus, the aim of this survey is to present comprehensive information on ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological activities of Osbeckia species from Kerala. Floral extracts of most of the Osbeckia species contain substantial levels of phenols and anthocyanin. This data validate the folklore use of various species to cure many human disorders. Future studies are planned to evaluate the biological potentialities in terms of anthocyanin profile using in vitro cultures of the species such as O. aspera and O. reticulata.

Wild edible plants of Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, India and their economic potential

The present study deals with the exploration, identification and future potentialities of the wild edible plant species of Gadchiroli district. The ethnobotanical survey of the region resulted in the documentation of 73wild plant species that are consumed by the Gondi, Madia, Kawar and Pardhan. Out of these, 56species belong to 52 genera 32 dicotyledonous families, while 17 species belong to 15 genera are from 9 monocotyledonous families.

Indigenous alder based farming practices in Nagaland, India: A sustainable agricultural model

Traditional alder (Alnus nepalensis) based agroforestry system is an age-old ecological farming practice of some indigenous tribes viz., Angami, Chakhesang, Chang, Yimchunger and Konyak of Nagaland state in India. Alder is a deciduous or semi-deciduous tree naturally grown throughout the Himalayas. In this system of farming, crops are grown as intercrop with alder trees. Agricultural crops co-cultivated with alder, forms a very remunerative agroforestry system. Alder does not require high soil fertility and hence, conversion of wasteland into agricultural land through this system is very much practicable. This system is an outstanding sustainable model of land use evolved through numerous years of testing among the indigenous tribes of Nagaland. The present review presents a comprehensive overview of indigenous alder based farming practices in Nagaland. Furthermore, the paper also describes the opportunities, challenges and future research directions towards developing and utilizing this model for sustainable agriculture.

Traditional herbal remedies of Malakudiya tribe of Kasaragod district of Kerala state

The present study enumerates the traditional knowledge of the Malakudiya tribes of Kasaragod district of Kerala State. The tribal people are still dependent on traditional healthcare system to heal their ailments. The nearby forest and surrounding wasteland provide adequate raw material for the preparation of herbal remedies. An open-ended semi-structured interview with a rather simple questionnaire was employed to collect the traditional information. A total number of 10 informants from the Malakudiya tribal community were interviewed having an age group of 50- 80 during the course of study. Traditional knowledge of 21 plant species belonging to 18 families were documented for treating around 16 kinds of ailments. Rutaceae and Aristolochiaceae are the dominant families. It is an attempt made to preserve the rich traditional wealth of the tribal community.

Evaluation of acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of ethanolic root extract of Tetracera akara (Burm. f.) Merr., an ethnomedicinal plant used by the Kani tribe of Kerala

The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute oral and sub-acute toxicity of ethanolic root extract of Tetracera akara in Swiss albino mice and Wistar rats. Tetracera akara (Burm. f.) Merr. has been used as traditional medicine by the Kani tribe of Kerala to cure liver diseases. In acute toxicity studies, four groups of mice (n = 5/group/sex) were orally treated with doses of 0.625 g, 1.25 g, 2.5 g and 5.0 g/kg and mortality were recorded. In the sub-acute toxicity study, animals received T. akara extract at the doses of 0.1 g, 0.5 g and 2.5 g/kg/day (n = 5/group/sex) for 28 days, biochemical, hematological, morphological and histopathological parameters were determined. T. akara did not produce any mortality in the acute toxicity studies, showing LD50 higher than 5 g/kg. Sub-acute treatment with T. akara didn’t cause any changes in body weight gain, hematological, biochemical profiles when compared to normal control. In addition, no changes in morphological and histopathological aspect of organs were observed in the animals. Taking all factors into consideration, administration of Tetracera akara does not produce acute toxicity in Swiss albino mice or sub-acute toxicity in Wistar rats, suggesting it’s safe use by humans.

Assessment of hepatoprotective activity of coded plant (222) leaf ethanolic extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats – Part IV

The present study was designed to assess the possible hepatoprotective activity of the leaf ethanolic extract of coded plant (Code No. 222**) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic injury in Wistar albino rats. The animals were divided into different groups and treated with 222 leaf ethanolic extract at different concentrations for five days. Silymarin, the known hepatoprotective standard compound (100 mg/kg) was administered for five days. Hepatotoxicity was induced by the subcutaneous administration of a single dose of CCl4: Olive oil (2 mL/kg) on days 2 and 3. The administration of CCl4 resulted in marked increase in serum hepatic enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum bilirubin levels. CCl4 intoxication also resulted in a significant (P=0.05) increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), which is a common marker of lipid peroxidation. The other biochemical parameters such as cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea and uric acid levels were also increased significantly (P=0.05) compared to normal control group. Changes in serum hepatic enzymes, biochemical parameters and MDA levels induced by CCl4 were reversed by the leaf ethanolic extract of 222 (125 mg/kg) dose. The standard drug silymarin treated group also reversed CCl4-induced changes in biomarkers of liver function and MDA levels. Histopathological studies of the liver samples confirmed the hepatoprotective property of the coded drug 222. It was seen that histopathological damage induced by CCl4 were improved in rat liver, treated with 222 extract. The results of the present study suggested that coded plant (222) leaf ethanolic extract may be used as a hepatoprotective agent against toxic effects caused carbon tetrachloride in the liver.