Passiflora foetida L.

Sanjeet Kumar
sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com

Department of Life Science.

Regional Institute of Education, Bhubneshwar

Odisha is rich in medicinal plants, among them Passiflora foetida is a medicinal plant has great medicinal value. It belongs to family Passifloraceae.

Origin: South America, natural population has been observed in the costal, mountain ranges in the state of Parana, Brazil (G.P.Markin pers.comm. 1993).

Distribution: Tropic in Southeast Asia, Pacific region, Central America and Africa.

Botany:  A perennial vine, hispid stem with tendril and covered with hairs, 3-lobed cordate leaves, flowers solitary in axis up to 3-5 cm wide, fruits yellow to orange, seeds many.

Habitat: It found on disturbed sites, usually grow on wet areas.

Propagation:  It is propagated by cuttings and from seed.

·       Seed sown in early spring will germinate in 12-20 days.

Phytochemicals: The major phytoconstituents of this plant contain alkaloids, phenols, glycoside, flavonoids and cyanogenic compounds and passifloricins, polyketides and alpha-pyrones(Mohanasundari et al. 2007).




      

Fig: Passiflora foetida.

 

  

      fig : Flower of Passiflora foetida.

Special features:

1.  It is able to trap insect on its bracts, which exude a sticky substance that also contain digestive enzymes.

2.  Heliconii butterflies of the family Nymphalidae, their larvae develop only on plants of family passifloraceae.

Traditional uses:

1.  Young leaves are used in tea in Vietnamese folk medicine to relieve sleeping problems.

2.  In Suriname’s traditional medicine, a tea of leaves is used as expectorant and for nervous disorders.

3.  In Brazil, the herb is used in the form of lotions or poultices for erysipelas and skin diseases with inflammation.

4.  Traditionally, the fresh or dried whole plants as well as their preparation are accepted for medicinal use in America, France and other European countries for the treatment of nervous anxiety.

Sanjeet Kumar
RIE, Bhubaneshwar.

CENTELLA ASIATICA: A BRAIN TONIC AT OUR FEET

SANJEET KUMAR
sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com

INTRODUCATION

Centella asiatica, locally known as “Thalkudi” is a mild  aromatic smelling herb growing in wet and marshy places throughout the country.It has been used widely in folk medicines for thousands of years to treat a wide range of illness. In Orissa, it is described under the name of “Thalkudi” and used in traditional medicine. It has been used as a support for faster healing of small wounds; the treatment of burns, iteching and insects bites In contrast with other medicinal plants, this plant has been subjected to quite extensive experimental clinical investigations due to its ability to heal relieve and recover human being from various pain and sickness. In many parts of the country including among tribes if  Orissa , it is used as a brain tonic for promoting brain growth and improving memory and also used in mentally retarded children to improve general mental ability In India, it is described under the name of available along with insulin for the treatment of diabetes Mandukaparni and used in Ayurveda medicine. It has mellitus, there is increasing demand by patients to use the been used as a support for faster healing of small wounds. Herbal preparations with anti-diabetic activity. Current The plant extract has been incorporated into the Indian therapies seem to be insufficient to prevent diabetic pharmacopoeia and recommended not only for wound complications, with a two-to four-fold likelihood for healing but especially for the treatment of skin diseases developing cardiovascular events.

BOTANY

A variable herb with long creeping stems rooting at the nodes. Young leaves and petioles villous, below, simple L orbicular-reniform never lobed but often with large rounded crenatures or sometimes coarsely dentate or sub-entire. Umbels usually several at a node, perhaps representing a sessile compound umbel, each with a pair of ovate sub –amplexicaul bracts, Flowers, sub-sessile, petals reddish white ovate acute or obtuse imbricate. Stamens red. Fruit with very narrow commissure, didymous, cocci, seed laterally compressed.


Classification:                        Botanical synonyms:

 Kingdom:         Plantae                          Centella coriacea (Linn.)Urban

Division:           Angiosperm                   Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn.

Class:               Dicotyledonous             Hydrocotyle lunata

Order:              Umbelliferae

Family:             Apiaceae

Genus:             Centella

Species:           asiatica Linn                                                      

Vernacular names:           Different vernacular names in Orissa

English: Gotukola

French: Bevilaequa                   Common name: -  Thalkudi and Brahmi

German: Wassernabel               Dongaria: -           Banda kucha.

Burmese: Myien-hkwa-             Dk :-                    Mandukagandi , Dhuna.

Persian: Sardeturkastan             Oriya :-                Bhuinpataki, Duasag, chake dopa

                                                                           (Kolho of Simlipal)

Sanskrit: Mandukaparni

Hindi: Brahma-manduki

Kannada: Brahmisoppu

Marathi: Karinga

Tamil: Vallarei

Bongoli :- Thal-khuri

Telgu :- Brahmi , Saraswathi aaku.

CHEMISTRY

Centella contains several active constituents, of which the most important are the following:-

·   Triterpene acids, Thankunie acid , brahmiz and isobrative.

·   Alkaloids: - hydrocotylin.

It has many therapeutic use such as depression, impotence, leueorrhoea, dropsy, headache,vertigo, filcociasis,leprosy,syphilis,psuriasis,eczema,urticoria,weakness of memory.It has physic-chemical nature viz;diuretic,aparient and tonic.

·   Glycosides: - Asiaticoside A and B, Centelloside, Brahmoside, thankuniside      etc.triterpeneglycoside.

·   Flavonoids: - gulucosylkaemferol etc.

·   Ester : Methyl ester.

In addition, Centella contains other components, including volatile oils, , tannins, phytosterols, amino acids, and sugars.Asiaticoside show efficacy against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bacillus leprae and Entamoeba histolytica.Asiaticoside, a trisaccharide triterpene, has been identified as the most active compound in the plant associated with the healing of wounds and duodenal ulcers, whilst the triterpene saponins are also reported to possess immunomodulatory properties (Plohmann et al., 1994).

ETHNOBOTANY

The Ethnobotany of Centella asiatica among Dongaria kandho of niyamgiri hills in Orissa are:-

·    It is taken and applied two times for instant treatment of headache on one side ( Ardhkapari)

·    Juice is used for clear vision of eyes in children.

·   Intake of juice in empty stomach in morning for 2-3 weeks is gives as growth tonic and to enhance the power of memory.

·    The whole plant crushed with turmeric (Curcuma longa) and black pepper (Piper nigrum) and the extract gargled for month ulcers by Khonds , Savaras , Nukaderas- twice a day.

·    Leaves grind mix jiggery eaten as an appetizer.

Other Ethnobotany sources:-

·   Leaf 1. Blood disorders. 1/8 kg of leaves is boiled with water. 1 cup of the decoction is taken with 5/32 kg honey every morning and evening..Fever. 1/32 kg of leaf juice of Centella asiatica is mixed with 1/32 kg leaf juice of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis and taken every morning on an empty stomach till cure. . (A.H. at al, 2009).

·    Juice of plant, about 6 teaspoon 3 times a day, is suggested in case of fever. (N.P.manadhar, 1992).

·   Whole plant parts are crushed and are used to cure leprosy, tuberculosis and asthma.(Albert et al,2010.).

·    Whole plant paste is taken with a glass of milk. Leaf paste is used to treat diabetic ulcers (G.jaykumar et al 2010).

PHARMACOLOGICAL USES

In classical Indian Ayurveda literature, it is considered to be one of the ‘Rasayana’ (rejuvenator) drugs. (Jayashree et al, 2003) In common with most traditional phytotherapeutic agents, C. asiatica is claimed to possess a wide range of pharmacological effects, being used for human wounds healing, mental disorders, atherosclerosis, fungicidal, antibacterial, antioxidant and anticancer purposes. C. asiatica has also been reported to be useful in the treatment of inflammations, diarrhea, asthma, tuberculosis and various skin lesions and ailments like leprosy, lupus, psoriasis and keloid. In addition, numerous clinical reports verify the ulcer-preventive and antidepressive sedative effects of C. asiatica preparations, as well as their ability to improve venous insufficiency and microangiopathy (Zheng and Qin, 2007). Previously triterpenoid acids, volatile and fatty oils, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and steroids have been isolated from the different parts of the plant. (Jayashree et al, 2003). We herein, report the preliminary antioxidant, cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of the extractives of C. asiatica.

REFRENCES

·     Sharma PV. Dravyaguna vignana. 13th Ed., Chaukhamba Vishwa Bharati Academy. 1992; p: 3–5.

·    Dash PK, Mistry IU, Rao AR, Patel KS. Role of Medhya Rasayana in school children. Ayu. 1996; 12:15.

·    Anbuganapathi GA. Synergetic effect of Vallarai and Brahmi on learning ability of albino mice and school children. Paper presented in International seminar on Recent Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences,Ootacamund, 18-20 February 1995.

·    Rajagopalan V. Effect of Ayushman 8 in manasa mandata (mental retardation). Paper presented in seminar on Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, CCRAS New Delhi, 20-22 March 1995.

·    A.H. Md. Mahabub Nawaz, Maruf Hossain, Masud Karim, Mujib Khan, Rownak Jahan, Mohammed Ra hmatullah.; An ethnobotanical survey of Rajshahi dis trict in Rajshahi divis ion, Bangladesh, Am.-Eurasian J. Sustain. Agric., 3(2): 143-150, 2009.

·    N.P.Manandhar, “Ethnobotanical note on folk-lore remedies of Baglung district, Nepal”,research note, 1992.

·    Jayashree, G., M. Kurup, S. Sudarslal and V. B. Jacob, 2003. Anti-oxidant activity of Centella asiatica on lymphoma-bearing mice.Fitoterapia. 74, 431-434.

·    Zheng, C.J. and L.P. Qin, 2007. Chemical components of Centella asiatica and their bioactivities. Chin Integr Med / Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. 5(3), 348-351.

·    Plohmann, B., Bader, G., Streich, S., Hilter, K. and Franz, G. (1994). Immunomodulatory effects of triterpenoid saponins.Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 2, 120.

·   Albert L.Sajem ,Kuldip gosai jan 2010,Ethnobotanical investigations among the Lushai tribes in North Cacher Hills district of Assam, Northeast India,Indian journal of Traditional knowledge, Vol. 9(1),pp108-113.

·   G jayakumar et all.2010, “Ethnobotanical survey of plants used in the treatment of Diabetic”,Indian journal of traditional knowledge,Vol 9(1) pp-100-104.

SANJEET KUMAR
Department of Life Science

REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (NCERT)

BHUBANESHWAR

Wetland Rice Cultivation: A Major Cause of Global Warming

Sanjeet

sanjeet.biotech@gmail.com

Emerging Science, 2011, 3(10): 15-18.

Abstract

In this paper, author presented the results of literature on the relation between global warming and wetland rice cultivation, their effect and future plan to reduce methane emission from wetland rice cultivation to protect our climate.

Key  words: Rice cultivation, Methane emission, Modelling of emission, Global warming.

Introduction

Global warming and climate change are one of the most critical global challenges for our country. People concern about global warming mostly focuses on greenhouse gases and methane is the one of major component, which is increasing at the rate of 1 % per year, is likely to contribute more to future climatic change. (Cicerone & Oremland 1998).Wetland rice fields have been identified as a source of atmospheric methane and the emission estimates from paddies range from 29 to 61 Tg per year(IPCC 2002).Rice cultivation is an important agricultural priority worldwide, because rice is the major cereal crop feeding two-third of the global population, which continue to increase by  ̴ 80 million people per year(Cohen 2003), and is expected to continue to feed large numbers of the ever-growing populations(Babu et al., 2005), so it has been estimated that global rice production must almost double by the year 2020 in order to meet the growing demand(Li C et al., 2002), and this may increase methane fluxes by up to 50%(Bouwman 1991).Contribution of methane to the green house effect is ̴ 1.7 wm² and 20% total methane emission comes from paddy field(Purkit et al. 2007).In India measurement of methane emission from rice paddies were initiated by Saha et al., &  Parashar et al., estimated methane emission from India’s paddy at 3 Tg/yr, based on a limited number  of field measurements. Recently, Bhutia et al., used IPCC default flux values for the base year 1994-1995 to estimate methane emissions from all agricultural fields in India to arrive at figure of 2.9 Tg/yr(Babu et al., 2005).According to Purkit et al., 2007 the total harvested rice area of India is nearly 42.23 Mha and total methane emission is nearly 4 Tg per year.

How Methane is Produce in Wetland Rice Cultivation.

In wetland rice cultivation, methane is produced due to the anaerobic decomposition of organic materials in flooded rice paddy soil. Methane is produced as the last step of the anaerobic breakdown of organic matter in wetland rice soils with the help of methanogenic bacteria by transmethylation. The level of methane emission from rice paddy is related to various factors that control the activity of the methenogen and methane-oxidizing bacteria such as temperature, pH, soil redox potential & substrate availability, soil type, rice variety, tillage, water management & fertilization (Conard 2002).Mitra et al., have recently reported that the methane emission is related to also concentration of organic carbon. According to Purkait et al., 2007, methane from paddy field is released into the atmosphere by:-

·        Diffusion from the interfaces following the concentration gradient.

·        Forming gas bubbles and escaping into the atmosphere by ebullition or burst.

·        Diffusion into the root and aerenchyma of the plant. It implies that in addition to the normal process of methane emission.

·        Emission in the form of ebullition occurs during moderate and high emission periods.

Modelling for methane emission

There are many types of models available to predicate the rate of methane emission from wetland rice field. Some models tried to use the least number of input parameters and more empirical equations to capture basic pattern of gas fluxes, these models are :-( Sources –Babu et al., 2005)

·        DNDC

·        Expert-N

·        CASA

·        CENTURY

·        NLOOS

·        MERES

·        MEM

·        DAYCENT

·        INFOCROP.

Among above model the DNDC model was developed for the predication of C and N biogeochemical cycles in both upland and wetland ecosystems (Li et al.,1992, Li et al.,1994 & Babu et al.,2005.).It is powerful assessment tool because it can predict crop grain and shoot yield, gaseous methane, nitrous oxide, ammonia emissions, soil C balance and N leaching below the root zone.  DNDC was also developed for predicting carbon sequestration and trace gas emission for non-flooded agricultural lands, simulating the fundamental process controlling the interaction among ecological drivers, soil environment factors and relevant biochemical or geochemical reactions, which collectively determine the rates of trace gas production and consumption in agricultural ecosystems (Li et al.,1994, Li et al.,1996 & Babu et al.,2005).

                      Using MEM model, Cao et al., estimated methane emission from rice fields in China and Matthews et al. estimated Methane emission from rice fields in China, India, Indonesia, the Philippiness and Thailand( Matthews et al.,2000 ).

Factors for Methane emission

In wetland rice cultivation, there are many factors for appropriate methane emission, which control the activity of the methanogens and methane-oxidizing bacteria, such as temperature, pH, soil redox potential and substrate availability, soil type, water management etc are major. Rice plant influence methane production by enhancing anaerobic conditions due to root respiration, and by provide substrate for methanogens such as root exudates (Neue,1997).  The plant can also affect methane oxidation by enxymatic oxidation and diffusion of oxygen through aerenchyma into the rhizosphere(Epp & Chanton, 1993k ).N fertilization also stimulates the methane oxidizing bacteria(Bodelier et al.,2000).

Table No. : - Values of soil parameters (sources –Purkait et al.,2007).

Parameters	Kharif	Rabi
pH	7.6	7.8
C/N ratio	21.25	10.25
Cation exchange capacity	9.7	5.5
Sand %	12.6	12.8
Clay %	42.6	45.6

Reduction of methane emission

Significant decrease of methane emission from wetland rice field could be achieved using:-

·        Zero tillage and mulching reduce methane emission from wetland rice cultivation.

·        Change of cultivation practices, such as a shift from transplanting to direct seeding and appropriate water management can also contribute water management can also contribute decreasing of methane emissions.

·        Reducing the time during which the fields are flooded, can reduce GHG emissions by about 50 %(Cole et al.,1997).

·        Intermittent drainage is the most effective methane emission mitigation practice for irrigated rice paddies(Majumadar,2003).

·        Improved rice cultivator's have been estimated to reduce GHG emissions by up to 20%(Sass et al. 1992).

·        Fertilization with iron (Conrad 2002),or increased ferric iron content in the rhizosphere seems to suppress methane formation (Watanabe 1999k),

·        Also sulphate inhibits methane production (Denier et al 2001).

·        Rabi cultivation is encouraged to reduce methane emission (Purkait et al., 2007).

Conclusion

Wetland rice cultivation contributes a significant proportion of methane emission, & it is predicated to increase as the global population depends on wetland rice particularly in India and other Asian country. By using different approaches which described above, can reduce the emission of methane and  check the climate change and  global warming due to wetland rice cultivation, also need the global research and policy support.

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Denier van der Gon, H.A., van Bodegom, P.M., Wassmann, R., Lantin, R.S. and Metra-Corton, T.M., 2001. Sulfate-containing amendments to reduce methane emissions from rice fi elds: mechanisms, eff ectiveness and costs. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change 6 (1),71-89.

Sass, R.L., Fisher, F.M., Wang, Y.B., Turner, F.T. and Jud, M.F., 1992. Methane emission from rice fi elds: the eff ect of fl oodwater management. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 6, 249–262.

Epp, M. and Chanton, A.J.P., 1993. Rhizospheric methane oxidation determined via the methyl fl uoride inhibition technique. Journal of Geophysical Resources 98, 18422–18423.

IPCC, Special report on Emission Scenarios , Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK 2002.

Watanabe, A. and Kimura, M., 1999. Infl uence of chemical properties of soils on methane emission from rice paddies. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 30, 2449–2463.

Takai, Y. 1970. The mechanism of methane fermentation in flooded soils. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr. 16: 238

Cicerone, R. J., and J. D. Shetter.1981. Sources of atmospheric methane: measurements in rice paddies and a discussion. J. Geophys. Res. 86: 7203-7209.

Conrad, R., 2002. Control of microbial methane production in wetland rice fi elds. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 64, 59-69.

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Li, C. et al., Reduced methane emissions from large-scale changes in water management in China’s rice paddies during 1980-2000, Geophys. Res. Lett., 2002,29.

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Sanjeet Kumar

Regional Institute of Education (NCERT)

Bhubaneswar.