A Medicinally Important Tree : Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.

Sanjeet

Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.

Common name: Bahada

Botanical name: Terminalia bellerica

Family: Combrataceae

Vernacular name(s)                                                 

Hindi:  Bahada                                                                       

Sanskrit: Vibhitaka                                                    

Marathi: Behada                                                        

                                                                                               

Distribution

It is found in deciduous forests throughout the greater part of India, but not in the arid regions, in areas of upper Gangetic Plain, Chota Nagpur, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Chittagong, Konkan, Deccan, and most of the parts of South India.

Botany of Terminalia bellerica

Terminalia bellirica Roxb. is large tree, upto 40 m high. Leaves petiolate, broadly elliptic, clustered towards the end of branches. Flowers greenish yellow, in solitary, simple, axillary spikes. Fruits globular, 1.5 – 2.5 cm in diameter, obscurely 5- angled when dry.

 

Medicinal value(s)

The bark is mildly diuretic and is useful in anaemia and leucoderma. Fruits are anti-inflammatory, antihelmintic, expectorant and ophthalmic. Fruits are useful in cough, asthma, bronchitis, dropsy, dyspepsia and cardiac disorders. Ripe fruits used as astringent .Fruits are also useful in eye diseases and scorpion sting. The bark of Terminalia bellirica Roxb. is used as adulterant to bark of Terminalia arjuna. The fruits of Terminalia bellirica Roxb. Are reported to be used as substitute in tanning industry for Terminalia chebula Retz. Therefore, the present paper attempts to evaluate the physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical screening and heavy metal analysis of the fruits of Terminalia bellirica Roxb. for identification of the drug in dry form and control the adulterants

Chemical compounds

The important chemical compounds are R-sitosterol, gallic acid, ethyle gallate, galloyl glucose, a new triterpene, the belleric acid and chebulagic acid have been isolated from fruits.

Common use(s)

·         It is used in the popular Indian herbal Rasayana treatment “Triphala”.

An Important Fruit of India : Annona squamosa L.

Sanjeet Kumar

Annona squamosa L.

Common name: Sitaphal, Ata

Botanical name: Annona squamosa

Family: Annonaceae

Vernacular name(s)                                Taxonomic classification

Oriya: Ata, Sitaphal                                     Kingdom: Plantae

Hindi: Saripha                                             Division: Angiosperms

Bengoli: Sitaphal                                         Order: Magnolials

Telgu: Sitapandu                                         Family: Annonaceae

English: Custard Apple                               Genus: Annona

                                                                  Species: squamosa

Distribution

Widely cultivated and naturalized in India. Native of West Indies and now widely cultivated in tropics and also found in Central America, French Guyana, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Tonga, Haiti, Costa Rica, Sudan, Tanzania, Cambodia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Cyprus.

Botany of Annona squamosa L.

Shrub or small tree. Leaves elliptic or oblong-lanceolate, glabrous, glaucous or glabrescent. Flowers drooping, solitary or 2-4 in a cluster; pedicel to 1.5 cm. sepals triangular, pubescent. Petals greenish-yellow, outer ones thick, inner ones minute. Seeds smooth, blackish, with a pale swelling at the hilum, oblong.

Medicinal properties

Root decoction is used as purgative. Bark decoction is used against diarrhea. Leaf decoction is used in urine problems. Seed powder is applied externally to kill lice and has abortifacient activity.

Chemical compound(s)

Annonin is a bioactive compounds isolated from the seed which has insecticidal activity. Leaves and seeds also contain different types of alkaloids.

Common Use(s)

·        The tree serves as host for lac- excreting insects.

·        Seed powder is used for fish killing.

·        Fruits are edible and used for making ice cream and beverages.

Review on R&D for Dioscorea species

Sanjeet Kumar

Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack

 Review on R&D  for Dioscorea species 

National Status

The ethnobotanical report on Dioscorea species are reported by various researchers

• Namrata et al., 2011 reported that tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera are used in piles, dysentery and syphilis and ulcers.
• Mishra et al., 2007 reported the contribution of Dioscorea species to the food security among tribes of Jeypore tract, Orissa.
• Sinha and Lakra , 2005 reported the Dioscorea species as a food among tribal communities of Orissa in critical time.
• Dioscorea bulbifera tuber is used against contraceptive, Dioscorea pentaphylla against abdominal pain after delivery. (Swarnkar and Katewa, 2008).
• Dioscorea bulbifera is used in cough, Leprosy, Diabetes, Spermoitic, aphrodisiac and antihelmintic. (Kumar et al., 2010, prasant)
• Prusti and Behera, 2007 reported that tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera are eaten after prolonged boiling in Malkangiri District of Orissa.
• Sahu et al., 2010 reported that tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera are used against rheumatism by the tribal communities of Deogarh district of Orissa.
• Dioscorea hispida is used as an antidote in arrow poison. (Edison et al., 2006)
• Tubers of Dioscorea oppositifolia is used in the treatment of swellings, scorpion and snake bites. (Edison et al., 2006).
• Juice of Dioscorea wallichi is used in the treatment of Jaundice. (Edison et al., 2006).

Photochemicals reported

• Chandra et al., 2012 reported the nutritive and phytochemicals present in Dioscorea deltoidea of Garhwal Himalaya. 

Pharmacological activity

• Ghosh et al., 2012 reported the antidiabetic activity of Dioscorea bulbifera which inhibit the α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity.
•  Suriyavathana and Indupriya , 2011 reported the antioxidant potentials of Dioscorea bulbifera.
• Rani et al., 2010 reported the Anti-ulcer activity of methanol extract of Dioscorea oppositifolia.
• Murthy et al., 2011 reported the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanolic leaf extract of Dioscorea hispida.
•  Ahmed et al., 2009 reported the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-dyslipidemic activity of aqueous extract of Dioscorea bulbifera.
• Suresh et al., 2011 reported the anthelmintic activity of Dioscorea hispida leaves.

Nutritional values

• Mohan and Kalidas, 2010 reported the nutritional values of Dioscorea pentaphylla, Dioscorea oppositifolia, Dioscorea tomentosa and Dioscorea spicta.
• Behera et al., 2010 reported the concentration of an active compound Diosgenin and ascorbic acid of the tubers of Dioscorea species found in Orissa. 

Anti-nutritional factors

• Mohan and Kalidas, 2010 reported the anti-nutritional compounds as Tannin, Hydrogen cyanide and Oxalate.

Anti-microbial activity

• Prakash and Hosetti, 2010 reported the anti-bacterial activity against S.aureus, P.aeruginosa and K.pneumoniae and anti-fungal against T.rubrum, M.gypseum, T.tonsurans, M.audouini and C. albicans of Dioscorea pentaphylla of mid Western Ghats.

 International Status

The ethnobotanical report on Dioscorea species are reported by various researchers

• Pérez et al., 2005 reported that Dioscorea species used in gastritis among Yoruba Tribal groups of Cuba.
• Danikou et al., 2011 reported that tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera is used as food plants in Bénin.
• Crushed tubers of Dioscorea hamiltonii are given as body refrigerant during summer and also used in Diarrhoea. (Lila 2009).
• Sap of tubers of Dioscorea hispida is used against Harinad( peeling of skin of feet). (Lila 2009).
• Dioscorea bulbifera is used against Tuberculosis. (Lila 2009).
• Raw tuber of Dioscorea pentaphylla is used against Diphtheria in Cattle. (Lila 2009). 

Photochemicals reported

• Webster et al., 1984 reported the bitterness component Diobulbin D in Dioscorea bulbifera and Dioscorea hispida of Thailand.
• Yoon et al., 2008 reported a bioactive compounds Allantoin in Dioscorea rhizomes.
• Bhandari and Kawabata, 2005 identified bitter components as Furanoid norditerpenes cyanogens content. 

Pharmacological activity

• Olayemi and Ajaiyeoba, 2007 reported the anti-inflammatory activity of Dioscorea esculenta.
• Wang et al., 2011 reported the Anticlastogenic effect of aqueous extract of Dioscorea alata L.
• Mbiantcha et al., 2011reported the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of extract from the bulbils of Dioscorea bulbifera.
• Theersin and Baker, 2009 identified the phenolic compounds and analyzed the antioxidant potential of Dioscorea hispida.
• Martin et al., 1974 reported the yellow pigments of Dioscorea bulbifera , the major part of the yellow color is due to the presence of saponifiable easters of xanthophylls as Lutin.

Nutritional values

• Otegbayo et al., 2011 reported the physiochemical properties of yam Starch and effect on textural quality on food product.
• Mignouna and Dansi, 2003 documented the domestication of Dioscorea species by the Nago and Fon ethnic groups in Benin.
• Kouakou et al., 2010 reported biochemical parameters of Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea rotundata during post harvest storage. 

Anti-nutritional factors

• Marie et al., 2005 reported the anti-nutritional factors as Saponin, total phenol and tannin of selected Dioscorea species of Jamaica.
• Ogbuagu, 2008 reported the nutritive and anti-nutritive values of Dioscorea bulbifera and Dioscorea dumentorum . They also reported the presence of alkaloids, oxalate and saponin at high concentration are responsible for the qualification of the species as Wild (Bitterness) and inedible.
• Polycarp et al., 2012 characterized the chemical and anti-nutritional factors as oxalates, tannin and phytates of Ghana.

   

An Ornamental Tree : Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw.

Sanjeet Kumar

 

Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thw.

Common name: “Debadaru”

Botanical name: Polyalthia longifolia

Family: Annonaceae

Vernacular name(s)                                            Taxonomic classification

Hindi: Ashoka                                                             Kingdom: Plantae

Sanskrit: Devdaru                                                       Division: Angiosperms

Gujrati: Asopalav                                                        Order: Magnoliadles

Oriya: Godogobindo                                                   Family: Annonaceae

Telgu: Nara maamidi                                                   Genus: Polyalthia

Indonesian: Goldogan tiang                                         Species: longifolia

Distribution

Cultivated throughout India. Native to Sri-Lanka. It is distributed in Philippines, Malaysia.

Botany of Polyalthia longifolia

It is Tall evergreen tree; young branches slender glabrous. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, shining, glabrous, margin undulate, apex long-acuminate. Flowers yellowish-green, umbel and sometimes racemed on elongated tubercles. Sepals triangular, acuminate. Ripe carpels ovoid. Seeds smooth, shining.

Medicinal properties

The bark is used as febrifuge; all parts have anti-bacterial and antifungal activity. In Nigeria, plant parts are used to cure different types of skin infections.

Chemical Compound(s)

Leaf oil content sesquiterpene. Plant has many bioactive compounds such as allantoin, Polyfothine, penduline etc.

Common Use(s)

1. It is a common ornamental tree of Indian garden.
2. It is planted due to its effectiveness in alleviating noise pollution and due to columnar growth.
3. It is suitable for landscapes, as a hedge and as visual dividers in open space.
4. Timber is used for making boxes, pencils and long masts – that is why it is also known as the mast tree.
5. Polyalthia Longifolia is sometimes incorrectly identified as Ashoka tree      (Saraca Indica) because of very close resemblance of both trees.

A Life Fruit of South India: Cocos nucifera L.

Sanjeet Kumar

Cocos nucifera L.

Local name: “Nodia”

Botanical Name: Cocos nucifera L.

Family: Arecaceae

Vernacular Name(s)                                                  Taxonomic Classification

Bengali:   Dab- B                                                        Kingdom: Plantae

Hindi:  Nariyal                                                            Order: Arecales

Telgu: Nari Kelamu                                                     Family: Arecaceae

English: Coconut                                                         Genus: Cocus

Sanskrit : Kalpa-vriksha                                              Species: nucifera

                                                                                   

Botany of Cocus nucifera L.

Tall palm or dwarf in some times; stem straight or sinuous, marked with ring-like leaf –scars. Leaves long, leaflets numerous, close, equidistant, lanceolate.Spadix long, divided into numerous drooping spikes bearing female with a few bisexual flowers. Fruit green or yellowish, obtusely 3- quetrous.

Distribution

Cultivated and naturalized in the hot damp regions of India, especially near the sea. Throughout the Indo-Pacific World and cultivated successfully throughout the tropics between 20° N 20° S.

Chemical Compound(s)

Ethanolamine, Phyllococosine and Leucoanthocyanin are major bioactive compounds.

Medicinal Value(s)

Oil is mixed with oil of Pongamia pinnata (Karanja) and the mixed oil is used

Common Use(s)

·        The nut oil is used in cooking; white fleshy part of the seed is edible.

·        Coconut water used as common drink, which provides an isotonic electrolyte balance for body.

·        Fruit is used to make chutney (a common food) in different parts of India.

Cissampelos pareira L.

Sanjeet Kumar

Cissampelos pareira L.

Common name: “Paru”

Botanical name: Cissampelos pareira L.

Family: Menispermaceae

        

Distribution

It is distributed throughout Odisha and India, Brazil, Guyana, south America, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Amazonia, Venzuela and Nicaragua.

Botany of Cissampelos pareira L.

It is a slender climber with perennial root-stock. Leaves ovate or orbicular, base rounded, truncate or cordate, apex obtuse or retuse. Male flowers green – yellow. Drupe orange or red, pubsescent with endocarp obovate in outline.

Medicinal properties

The roots are used in tropical countries to prevent a threatened miscarriage and to stop uterine hemorrhages after childbirth. The leaf decoction is more effective for different types of infections. Seeds are used in various types of diseases. Root with rum is used as aphrodisiac. A whole plant is used to stop bleeding, balance menstruation, inflammation, relieves pain and prevents ulcers.

Chemical compounds

The important chemical constituents are isoquinoline alkaloids, tetrandrine, Cissampeline, Cissamine and Cissampareine. Cissampeline is sold as a skeletal muscle relaxant drug in Ecuador. Tetrandrine have fever-reducing and pain-relieving properties.

Common Uses

·         It is known as “Plant for Women’s ailments”.

·         It is excellent natural remedy for menstrual difficulties.

·         It is used as female tonic which effective against menopausal libido loss.

·         It is used in heart problems ( Irregular heart beat)

·         It relaxes the Uterus and is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Serr.

Sanjeet Kumar

Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Serr.

Comman name: “Bael”

Botanical name: Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. Serr

Family: Rutaceae

Vernacular name(s)                                        Taxonomy

           

Oriya: Baelo                                                    Kingdom: Plantae

Hindi: Bael                                                      Order: Sapindales

Telgu: Maredu                                                 Family: Rutaceae

Punjabi: Beel                                                   Genus: Aegle

Marathi: Kaveeth                                             Species: marmelos

Botany of Aegle marmelos L.

It is a tree with modrate-sized, slender, gum bearing, 1 or more axillary spines. Leaves alternate, 3-foliate; petiole long; leaflets entire or crenulate, pubescent. Flowers white, large, in axillary panicles. Fruit smooth, woody greenish shell, sometime gray or yellow; globose or ovoid. Pulp yellow with aroma. Hairy seeds are encapsulated with mucilage.

Distribution

Throughout the India, wild and cultivated. Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Java and Myanmar, Indo-China. Cultivated in South East Asia, Malaysia and some Tropical countries.

Chemical compound(s)

There are approximately 100 bioactive compounds are isolated, major are Skimmianine, Aegelin, Lupeol, Marmelosin, Marmelide etc.

Medicinal value(s)

Roots are used to cure Cardiac malfunction, leaves are used as an Laxative, unripe fruit is helpful curing dysentery, ripe fruit used as tonic. Leaf has Anti-Cancer, Analgesic and Antiallergic activity, Fruits have Antihelminthic and Antiulcer activity, Bark has Antiviral and mature bark has Abortifacient activity.

Common use(s)

• This tree is a larval food plant for the two Indian Swallowtail butterflies.
• The fruit is eaten fresh or dried and leaves are eaten as salad greens.
• The juice is strained and sweetened to make a drink similar to lemonade.
• It  is the only member of the monotypic genus Aegle
• In Hinduism the tree is sacred. It is used in the worship of Shiva. The trifoliate leaves symbolize the trident that Shiva holds in his right hand.
• In the traditional culture of Nepal, the bael tree is part of a fertility ritual for girls known as the Bel baha. Girls are "married" to the bael fruit and as long as the fruit is kept safe and never cracks the girl can never become widowed, even if her human husband dies.

(P. Maity, D.Hasda , U.Bandhopadhya, DK Mishra, 2009, Biological activities of crude extracts and chemical constituents of Bael, Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr., Indian Journal of Exprimental Biology. 47: 849-861)