TUBERS AND TRIBAL PEOPLE OF ORISSA

                              
          

                   SANJEET KUMAR AND M.K.SATAPATHY
           REGIONAL IINSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (NCERT),
                                        BHUBANESWAR

Many infectious diseases are known to be treated with herbal remedies throughout the history of mankind. Plants still continue to be almost the exclusive source of antimicrobial compounds for the majority of the world’s population. The WHO reported that 80 % of the worlds populations rely chiefly on traditional medicine and a major part of the traditional therapies involve the use of plant as a anti microbial agents against various types of infections caused by microbes.

                Discovery of antimicrobial compounds were one of the most important findings of the 20th century. These natural compounds found in many plants have been used to treat human diseases caused by various microbes. Therefore now pick up another thread through the web of Paul Ehrlich, that some natural compounds inhibit the microbes, but not the patients, thus curing the illness. Hence over the last decade, there has been rapid growth in the use of alternative medicines. Natural products, including many plants traditionally used as medicinal herbs against microbial infections are being reevaluated as key components in future microbiological science.

                Orissa, the most picturesque state in eastern India, occupies a unique place in the tribal map of the country having largest number of tribal communities (62) including 13 primitive tribes, with a population of 8.15 million constituting 22.3 % of state’s population. Almost all tribal groups have been using Dioscorea species as popular traditional medicinal tubers that are generally taken alone or in multiple herb formulation. Some biological effect of Dioscorea species, including the ant-oxidative and anti-microbial activities has been reported (Kaladhar, 2002).  Literature survey revealed that the powdered tubers as an ingredient of medicines for cholera and constipation and plant juice in sores, in treatment of piles, skin diseases, intestinal worms and obesity (Nataraj et al, 2009). Uadia (2203) reported some Dioscorea species are used to treat diabetes. Dioscorea species are sometimes used as an herbal tonic, therefore eaten as the treatment for poor appetite   (Rani et al., 2010). Wild tubers are highly acrid and cause irritation in throat and mouth due to excessive amount of calcium oxalate present in tubers still than tribal peoples using more and more wild tubers as a food and traditional medicine with traditional method of processing, therefore systematic rigorous scientific studies of frequently used tubers are needed.Dioscorea species (Sautor et al., 2005) attributing antimicrobial activities due to the presence of secondary metabolites like steroid saponins are exert a large variety of biological functions, such as anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anticancer (Li et al., 2001).Quan et al.(2006) reported efficient antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. Dioscorea species are used in Bangladesh for the treatment of Leprosy and tumors (Mbiantcha et al., 2011). In Zimbabwe, Dioscorea species are used as an infusion to apply on cuts and sores, both for humans and animals while in Cameroon and Madagascar, the pounded bulbs are applied to abscesses, boil and wound infections (Mbiantcha et al., 2011). Many phytochemicals studies revealed that purine derivatives, saponins, starches, mucilage are present as main constituents in Dioscorea species, and allantoin, one of purine derivatives, is well-known biologically active compounds, which play an important role in nitrogen storage (Yoon et al., 2008). Zhang et al. (2007) reported many water soluble compounds which are not saponins, such as cyclo – (Leu-Tyr) and adenosine. The bulbils of Discorea species are used to treat piles, syphilis and are applied to ulcers and inflammation (Mbiantcha et al., 2011). Uadia( 2003) reported, Dioscorea species are used to make arrow poison. Dioscorea species contain small quantities of diosgenin, is used as a precursor in the commercial synthesis of sex hormones and birth control (Crabbe, 1979).

CONCLUSION

Dioscorea species are one of the medicinally important wild tubers plant, extensively consumed by rural and tribal people as a food. However there are apparently lack of scientific reports on the antimicrobial properties of this tuber plant. The lack of scientific knowledge has often exerted a major constraint on the use of traditional herbal remedies as an affordable alternative to orthodox medical treatment. Subsequent research work may be extended in this line to other tubers commonly used as food by the tribal’s of Orissa.

SANJEET KUMAR AND M.K.SATAPATHY
     RIE(NCERT), BHGUBANESWAR