Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack
Abstract
Odisha, with its great biodiversity, has a tremendous potential and advantage in the emerging area of herbal medicine. Mudmudika (Helicteres isora L.) is a common medicinal shrub among the populace of Odisha having potential to cure diabetic, weakness in new-born baby, diarrhoea and scabies. Ethnobotanical values, phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of two aqueous and methanol extract of leaf (Helicteres isora L.) were studied. Mean value of zone of inhibition(mm) of aqueous and methanol extracts were 15.28 , 12.34 against E.coli and 11.3, 8.41 against A,niger. Analysis of bioactive compounds revealed presence of phenolic compounds, glycosides,flavonoids, tannin and saponin. Etnobotanical survey revealed the uses of leaf extract against different fungal infections. The presence of tannin, flavonoids and saponin confirmed the claimed made by tribal community of Odisha. Present study highlighting the pharmacological confirmation against tribal claimed.
Introduction
Mudmudika (Helicteres isora L.) is a common sub-deciduous shrub or a small tree plant belongs to family Sterculiaceae of Odisha1 with many vernacular name(s) due to its diversity in the state, such as Kurkurbicha(.....), Sinkri(......) and Pita Baranda (Among Kolho of Simlipal biosphere reserve forest)2. It is very popular among the different tribal populace of Odisha due to its potent ethnomedicinal value(s) and unique fruit shape as screw, therefore it is also known as “Indian Screw Tree” in world3. It is widely distributed in Odisha; frequently available in costal forest block of the state and the hill slopes of Eastern Ghat, throughout India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Java and Australia up to 1500 meter. It is a shrub with hairy branches. Leaves orbicular, obovate or broadly ovate or oblong with cordate at base, irregular serrate and apex acuminate. Flowers brick-red and irregular with zygomorphic. Calyx orange. Fruits are woody greenish rolled carpels, brownish black when ripe. Seeds wrinkled, truncate and angular. Tribal community of the state use its parts in various infections and diseases as a paste, oral, juice and with other plant parts in different aqueous formulations. Root juice is claimed to be useful in cough and asthma. Fruits are demulcent, mildly astringent and useful in griping and flatulence. Decoction of the root used to be mixed with turmeric powder and applied externally to treat cuts and wounds. Aqueous, ethanol and butanol extract of root has been reported to possess antihyperglycemic activity. Aqueous extract of fruit was reported agaimst avian myeloblastosis virus and human immunodeficiency virus. Bark extract shown hypoglycaemic activity. Fruit extract shown significant activity against Bacillus species, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella tuphi, Shigella sonei and Staphylococcus aureus. To the best of our knowledge may be no report is available on the antimicrobial activity of leaf. As there is no reference in literature regarding the antimicrobial activity of leaf extract of Mudmudika. Keeping this in mind an attempt was made to investigate and correlate the tribal claim (ethno-botanical knowledge) of the leaf extract used against different microbial pathogens using qualitative analysis of bioactive compounds (aqueous and methanol extract), and antimicrobial activity.
Sanjeet Kumar
Sanjeet Kumar
