Delineation of Two Morphovariants of Cissus quadrangularis L. by Morphological, Anatomical and Biochemical Characters

Ashwathy G,Krishnakumar K,Haritha Gopi,Aswathy K M,Ashmitha Ranjan

doi:10.13189/azb.2020.080321

Abstract

Cissus quadrangularis L. belongs to the family Vitaceae, commonly called bone setter plant. There are three morphovariants that exist for the species. They show many differences in their morphological appearances. Hence, the present study was carried out to delineate two morphovariants (variant I and III) of C. quadrangularis L. based on their morphological, anatomical and biochemical characters. As variant II is very rare, only two variants were taken for the present study. The two variants of C. quadrangularis L. showed differences in their morphological features like shape of the stem as well as that of leaves. The leaf, stem and aerial root anatomy also showed considerable differences. Biochemical studies like fluorescence analysis and nanoparticle assay were also carried out. The fluorescence study revealed that the two variants when treated with nitric acid showed significant differences in fluorescence. Nanoparticle assay of both the variants were carried out and showed considerable differences in their properties such as size and shape. Anatomical characters, nanoparticle properties as well as fluorescence properties can be used to delineate the two morphovariants. However molecular studies like DNA barcoding using different marker genes like ITS2, trnH-psbA, matK etc. could be carried out to precisely delineate the morphovariants. Further pharmacological evaluations are required to distinguish the medicinal properties of the two morphovariants.

Highlights

Plants are unique components of nature showing a remarkable diversity and variation among the different species and affected by the changeable environmental condition [1]
The present study focuses on the delineation of the morphovariants of C. quadrangularis L. by morphological, anatomical and biochemical characters
The variants of C. quadrangularis L. were collected from two different locations (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Plants are unique components of nature showing a remarkable diversity and variation among the different species and affected by the changeable environmental condition [1]. Nature has been a source of medicinal agents since the beginning of human civilization [2]. Medicinal plants or their derived material, have been widely employed in all cultures, throughout the history, for the prevention and treatment of diseases [3]. There has been a tremendous increase in the use of plant-based health products in developing as well as developed countries resulting in an exponential growth of herbal products globally. One of the many plants which are being evaluated for their therapeutic efficacies is C. quadrangularis L. which is commonly known as Hadjod (Bengali) and Edible Stemmed Vine (English) [4]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion