Demand For Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Impact of season on phytochemistry with special reference to β-Asarone content, extract yield and Pharmacognostic parameter in rhizome of Acorus calamus L.

Demand of medicinal plants is growing exponentially due to its extensive use in nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical industries. The major problem is the variation in quality and quantity of phytoconstituents with the collection of medicinal plants in each batch. Though, the quality and quantity of phytoconstituents in plants are influenced by various factors, chief among them is seasonal variation. Rhizome of Acorus calamus L. is used in treatment of neurological disorder specially in children. The Ayurvedic system of medicine believes blends of constituent imparts therapeutic activities. The main chemical constituent responsible for cognition enhancement is Asarone. An attempt has been taken to record change in Pharmacognostic parameter with season and evaluate the best collection time of rhizome of Acaorus calamus L. with special reference to extractive value and asarone content.

Harnessing controlled environment systems for enhanced production of medicinal plants.

Medicinal plants (MPs) are valued for their contributions to human health. However, the growing demand for MPs and the concerns regarding their quality and sustainability have prompted the reassessment of conventional production practices. Controlled environment cropping systems, such as vertical farms, offer a transformative approach to MP production. By enabling precise control over environment factors, such as light, carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity, nutrients, and airflow, controlled environments can improve the consistency, concentration, and yield of bioactive phytochemicals in MPs. This review explores the potential of controlled environment systems for enhancing MP production. First, we describe how controlled environments can overcome the limitations of conventional production in improving the quality of MP. Next, we propose strategies based on plant physiology to manipulate environment conditions for enhancing the levels of bioactive compounds in plants. These strategies include improving photosynthetic carbon assimilation, light spectrum signalling, purposeful stress elicitation, and chronoculture. We describe the underlying mechanisms and practical applications of these strategies. Finally, we highlight the major knowledge gaps and challenges that limit the application of controlled environments, and discuss future research directions.

FT-IR spectroscopy coupled with HPLC for qualitative and quantitative analysis of different parts of Gentiana rigescens Franch.

In recent years, people are paying more and more attention to their nutritional health care, and the demand for medicinal plants is increasing year by year, which has aroused widespread concern about their quality. Therefore, the development of methods that enable rapid evaluation of medicinal plants is necessary. The present study was based on 132 Gentiana rigescens (G. rigescens) plants analyzed for the content of total secoiridoids (gentiopicroside, loganic acid, swertiamarin) in different parts of the plant using high performance liquid chromatography. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was also used to characterize the overall chemical information of different parts of G. rigescens. The use of two-dimensional correlation analysis algorithms further improves the acquisition of spectral information and effectively extracts the more chemically informative bands (1750–400 cm−1). On this basis, FT-IR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics was proposed for the prediction of total secoiridoids content in G. rigescens roots, stems and leaves. The results showed that the content of total secoiridoids showed a pattern of root > stem, leaf and gentiopicroside > loganic acid > swertiamarin. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was effective in identifying samples from different parts of the body with 100 % model accuracy. The optimized Partial least squares (PLS) model was able to predict the content of gentiopicroside, loganic acid, and swertiamarin in both roots and leaves with RPD values greater than 1.4. Unfortunately, the model had difficulty in predicting the content of loganic acid and swertiamarin in stems (RPD < 1.4). Overall, the method has good stability and applicability, and provides an effective and rapid analytical method for the quality evaluation of medicinal plants.

Phytochemical Composition of Combretum molle (R. Br. ex G. Don.) Engl. & Diels Leaf and Stem Extracts.

The demand for medicinal plants is on a rise due to their affordability, accessibility and relatively non-toxic nature. Combretum molle (Combretaceae) is used in African traditional medicine to treat a number of diseases. This study aimed to screen the phytochemical composition of the hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts of C. molle leaves and stems using qualitative phytochemical screening. Additionally, the study aimed to identify the functional phytochemical groups, determine the elemental composition and provide a fluorescence characterization of the powdered leaves and stems by performing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalyses and fluorescence microscopy. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, polyphenols, terpenoids, tannins, coumarins, saponins, phytosterols, gums, mucilage, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins within all leaf and stem extracts. Lipids and fixed oils were additionally present within the methanol extracts. FTIR demonstrated significant peaks in absorption frequency in the leaf at wavelengths of 3283.18, 2917.81, 1617.72, 1318.83, 1233.97, 1032.32 and 521.38 cm-1, and in the stem at 3318.91, 1619.25, 1317.13, 1032.68, 780.86 and 516.39 cm-1. These corresponded to the functional groups of chemical compounds including alcohols, phenols, primary amines, alkyl halides, alkanes and alkyl aryl ethers, corroborating the presence of the detected phytochemicals within the plant. EDX microanalyses showed the elemental composition of the powdered leaves (68.44% C, 26.72% O, 1.87% Ca, 0.96% Cl, 0.93% Mg, 0.71% K, 0.13% Na, 0.12 % Mn and 0.10% Rb) and stems (54.92% C, 42.86% O, 1.7% Ca, 0.43% Mg and 0.09% Mn). Fluorescence microscopy provided a characteristic evaluation of the plant in its powdered form and revealed distinct colour changes in the material when treated with various reagents and viewed under ultraviolet light. In conclusion, the phytochemical constituents of the leaves and stems of C. molle confirm the suitability of this species for use in traditional medicine. The findings from this study suggest the need to validate the use of C. molle in the development of modern medicines.

Demand and Supply Situation for Medicinal Plants

From 2020 to 2015, it was predicted that the demand for medicinal plants in India will increase at an annual pace of between 17 and 23 percent to meet the needs of both domestic and international consumers. Small-scale farmers stand to gain financially and economically from a well-organized medicinal plant production and administration system. Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha are the three main Indian medical traditions, and together they are expected to bring in more than $500 million annually. In 2015, the gap between demand and supply of MAPs was predicted to be between 50,000 and 250,000 tons. In 2020, this hole was predicted to grow from 250,000 to 500,000 metric tons. Modified accelerated production (MAP) industries provide labor opportunities in economically depressed states, raising the standard of living and tax base of the area.

In vitro propagation of medicinal plant Sida cordifolia under different growth regulators and salt stress

The demand of medicinal plants is increasing in pharmaceutical industries due to the presence of differentsecondary metabolites. Due to this reason, different plant species are likely to become endangered or extinctdue to their medicinal importance. Sida cordifolia (Malvaceae) is one of them. It is a very valuable medicinalherb mentioned in Indian Ayurveda and other medicinal systems throughout the world. It iscommonlyknown as Bala. It is used to treat asthma, chronic dysentery, asthma, gonorrhea and as a fatburningsupplement. The entire plant is rich in secondary metabolites. It constitutes important bioactivecompoundssuch as ephedrine, vasicinone, vasicinol, palmitic, stearic acid. Tissue culturetechnique will provide anefficient method for propagation and conservation of this medicinal plant. For direct shoot regenerationfrom nodal explants under in vitro conditions, BAP performed better than Kn. Shoot regeneration wasfound maximum at 2.0 mg/l BAP. The plantlets were also tested for their salinity tolerance. Root, shootlength and biomass was not affected by low levels of salinity stress. However, high levels of salinity stress(200mM) reduced the shoot, root length and biomass drastically. For root induction, half-strength MS medium with 2.0 mg/l IBA and 3% (w/v) sucrose was found to be the best. Regenerated plants were found to bemorphologically similar to the mother plants. This protocol could be helpful for mass cultivation andgermplasm conservation of S. cordifolia.

First report on leaf Essential oil of In vitro Kaempferia galanga L. from Eastern India

Today over 95% of the medicinal plants used by the industries in India is collected from forest and other natural resources. Due to the fast changing lifestyle globally, now there is demand of medicinal plants that are of great commercial value and wild origin. In the present study, the leaf essential oil analysis of Kaempferia galanga by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometery (GC-MS) has been studied. These oils were extracted through hydrodistillation process and its chemical composition was analyzed by Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. A total of 5 compounds were identified from the micropropagated plants. The major compound identified in were ethyl p-methoxycinnamate as 72.23% respectively. The medicinally beneficial compounds present in the oil is the first report on in vitro Kaempferia galanga leaves confirming the plant to be treated for various diseases in human and for commercial purposes.

NMR analysis of cultivated Sideritis euboea Heldr.

Over the last decades, the demand of medicinal plants has vastly increased. The health trend and social changes are leading to a growing demand for herbal products, as medicines and in particular as food supplements. Various cultivations of medicinal plants have been developed in order not only to respond on this enormous market, but also to offer high-quality products. Cultivated plants have attracted great scientific interest for their rich and high standard chemical compositions. Our study focuses on the phytochemical profile of cultivated Sideritis euboea Heldr., a shrub with a great commercial value. The whole isolation course of all extracts, fractions and sub-fractions was continuously monitored and traced down using an NMR strategy, which permitted their detail characterisation and enabled us to choose the more abundant extract. Aerial parts of cultivated S. euboea were extracted with solvents of increasing polarity and their secondary metabolites were identified by NMR analyses. So far, using various analytical methods, 16 secondary metabolites have been isolated from the methanol extract; two iridoids, seven flavones, five phenylethanoid glucosides and two phenolic acids. In addition to the previous investigation of the wild population, the present study revealed that its chemical profile is similar and even richer in phenolic compounds. The metabolic profile of cultivated S. euboea was studied through 1 H-NMR spectra; the structures of the isolated secondary metabolites were assigned based on their one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR spectra. The NMR strategy allowed us to detect even the minor compounds in the extracts.

Studies on bioactive compounds and therapeutic potential of Terminalia chebula seed extract

The worldwide use of herbal drugs has led to an increase in the demand for medicinal plants. The present work reports on extraction process were done by, Soxhlet apparatus where whole or coarsely powdered crude drug is placed with methanol. Then the extracted aqueous form herbal drugs were screened for antimicrobial activity against various clinical and food borne pathogens (Pseudomonas, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella and E.coli) followed by anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic activity. The present work also reports on characterization and separation of functional group using GC-MS and FT-IR methodology. As a result, the maximum zone of inhibition was found around 0.9mm against Pseudomonas sp. Further, the radicalscavenging activity of the extracts was measured as decolourizing activity followed by the trapping of the unpaired electron of DPPH. The percentage decrease of 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH) standard solution was recorded maximum for 1.5mlwith 14% of activity, followed by anti-diabetic activity with 75% (3ml) and Anti-inflammatory of 175% (3ml). extracts at a concentration of 100 μg/ml.

MICROORGANISMS AS CHEMICAL FACTORIES FOR ISOLATION OF META-BOLOMES FROM MESOPHILIC SOIL

Objective: To investigate the micro-flora of the mesophilic soil of Rajasthan for isolation of novel compounds having antibacterial potentials.Methods: In present experiments, bacterial colonies were isolated from four different regions of Jaipur, Rajasthan and screened for antimicrobial efficacy against five selected pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 7093, Staphylococcus aureus MTCC 7443, Escherichia coli MTCC 40, Klebsiella pneumoniae MTCC 530, and Bacillus subtillis MTCC 121. Antimicrobial efficacy against the selected strains was performed. The potential efficacy of the extract was also screened for gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis for novel metabolites screening. Further, potent bacterial strains were identified at the molecular level by 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing method.Results: After the primary screening, 29 microbial isolates were selected for the screening of bioactivity. Results displayed zones of inhibition ranging from 5 mm till maximum 13 mm. Soil testing indicated survival conditions for microbes isolated, and biochemical tests supported the identification of screened isolates. The potentially isolated strains S-III C, S-III D and S-IV D were identified at the molecular level using 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing as Bacillus shackletonii, Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis subsp. inaquosorum, respectively.Conclusion: Extraction of active metabolites from soil microbiota, against five pathogenic bacteria, is far better, safe and economical method. This study will help in exploring new compounds against increasing number of resistant pathogenic strains with an aim to reduce demand of medicinal plants for extraction of effective antimicrobial compounds. Bacillus strains (S-IIIC, S-IIID and S-IVC) isolated from soil microflora possess antimicrobial activity and can be used for isolation of antibiotics at industrial levels.

Ethno Botanical Potential for Medicinal Ferula assa-foetida as a main Medical Plant in East of Iran

Ferula assa-foetidaL. (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant indigenous to Iran and Afghanistan. This plant is one of the most important among the thirty species of Ferula distributed in Iran. Iran is one of the most important producers of this plant in the world. It is an herbaceous and perennial plant that grows up to 2 m high. One part used is an oleo-gum resin, called asa-foetida or Anghoze in Persian, obtained by incision from the roots. Many people in Mediterranean region who onsult with spiritual healers, homeopaths and herbalists are utilizing traditional therapies. The demand for medicinal plants has increased globally due to the resurgence of interest in and acceptance of herbal medicine. The methods of extraction employed are almost invariably crude and unsystematic. As a consequence, the rates of exploitation may exceed those of local natural regeneration.Ferula is one of the most important endangered medicinal plants, which is rare in nature due to poor seed germination. It has been reported in Iranian folk medicine to be antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, laxative, sedative, nerving, analgesic, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and antiseptic.In this article qualitative and participatory study on harvesting, main characteristics and economical importance of this valuable medicinal plantin South-Khorasan province, east of Iran has been described.

Knowledge and demand for medicinal plants used in the treatment and management of diabetes in Nyeri County, Kenya

Ethnopharmacological relevanceNon communicable diseases are currently a major health challenge facing humanity. Nyeri County has one of the highest diabetes prevalence in Kenya (12.6%), compared to the country’s prevalence of 5.6%. The purpose of the study was to document; diabetes knowledge, medicinal plants and demand for the services of traditional medicine practitioners, in the management and treatment of diabetes. MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in the six constituencies in Nyeri, using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires. Thirty practicing traditional medicine practitioners were purposively selected for the study. Field observation and identification was carried out on all plants that were cited during the interview. Plant samples were collected and voucher specimen deposited in the University of Nairobi Herbarium in the – School of Biological Sciences. ResultsThe study revealed 30 plant species in 28 genera and 23 families that are used by the traditional medicine practitioners to treat and manage diabetes. Demand for traditional medicine practitioners’ services in the treatment of diabetes is low and often occurs when conventional drugs fail. ConclusionInteraction with the TMPs unveiled significant diversity of potential anti diabetic medicinal plants and in-depth ethnobotanical knowledge that they possessed. Preference for traditional herbal medicine was low despite wide ethnobotanical knowledge in the face of high prevalence of diabetes in the locality. The findings form the basis of pharmacological studies for standardization of the documented ethnomedicine used in the treatment and management of diabetes in the study area.

Medicinal Plants and Forest Transformations in NW Pakistan: A preliminary synthesis

In the Pakistani Himalaya, local people use medicinal plants for healthcare and income generation. Medicinal plants have historically been collected below the tree line from near natural old-growth forests. However, such forests have almost disappeared today. In addition to the few remaining degraded forest remnants, some areas have become subject to restorative land-use approaches including agroforestry, reforestation, and natural re-growth. We studied a number of such transformational forest areas with respect to the abundance of medicinal plants and their local market prices. Of the ten target species studied, Viola canescens Wall. was the most valuable with the highest density occurring under old-growth forest, whereas it was almost absent from heavily degraded forest. Curiously, in new forests, its density was nine times higher under natural re-growth forest plots than under reforestation or agroforestry plots. Over the past six years, Viola&rsquo;s market value has increased 2.6 times more than the consumer price index, and the rising market costs of ten study species are strongly related to their densities in old-growth forest (r2 = 0.6, p &lt; 001). We assume this is related to the decline of old-growth forests and the consequent effects on the supply and demand of medicinal plants. Moreover, our results indicate close similarity of medicinal plant flora between old-growth and natural re-growth forests (0.56 Jaccard index). In conclusion, forest restoration with an emphasis on natural re-growth is important to the recovery of medicinal plants in Northwest Pakistan. Awareness of this outcome among locals may help to promote acceptance of reforestation measures in the region.

Medicinal importance of orchids-A review

The family Orchidaceae is one of the largest families of Angiosperms. It is cosmopolitan in distribution. Apart from being highly ornamental for it's colourful and fragrant flowers and varied economic importance, the members of the family commonly called as orchids are of great medicinal importance. They have been used as a source of herbal remedies in China since 2800 BC. With increasing uses of herbal drugs, the demand for medicinal plants has increased many folds. Large number of orchids from north-eastern states of India is pirated to other parts not only for ornamental but for medicinal uses. This has caused great threat for extinction of orchids. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation of orchids needs urgent attention. In the present review, medicinal properties of 24 genera and 56 species have been described.

Determinants of growing herbs in polish agriculture

Abstract The paper describes basic determinants of the medical plant cultivation in Polish agriculture. The author discussed economic background of the introduction of these plants indicating the role of pharmaceutical industry in herb usage. Then, there is a presentation of results of the survey study carried out among farmers from the Wielkopolska region. Approximately 10% of the farms cultivate medicinal plants but more than 50% declare some interest in this kind of production, what indicates a big potential. Farmers think that herbs are economically attractive crops if the sale is guaranteed and the price is satisfactory. The demand for medicinal plants is developing and expanding for e.g. dietary supplements and other health-promoting products. Therefore, it can be concluded that cultivation of medicinal plants is the prospective direction of agricultural production and an important element of additional income of Polish farmers.

APPLICATION OF AHP TOOL FOR DECISION MAKING OF CHOICE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR EXTRACTION OF ANTI-CANCER BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF PLANT ORIGIN

Demand for medicinal plants and their exploitation around the world has prompted international agencies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and national health departments like AYUSH to focus on their sustainable utilization. However, lack of any decision-making methodology makes it difficult for the rural entrepreneur to setup a business. This paper has developed a Multi-Criteria Decision Making template, using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), of ranking the best technology for extraction of nine medicinal plants which grow in Western Ghats of India. These plants have more than 20% subsidy in cultivation under NMMP and have an anticancer property. The technologies selected for AHP were agitation/centrifugation, cold solvent extraction, reflux/soxhlet extraction, cold percolation, microwave assisted extraction, sonication and hot solvent extraction. The ability of the tool to provide selection of the extraction technology with process flexibility like criteria selection, technology selection and criteria weightages allows its use by rural entrepreneurs, technology facilitators, rural entrepreneur proposal evaluators and policy makers. http://dx.doi.org/10.13033/ijahp.v5i1.153

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY OF THE PLANTS USED IN TRADITIONAL MEDICINES

Herbal medicines have great importance in maintaining the health of the individual. Demand for medicinal plant is increasing in both developed and developing countries due to growing recognition of natural plant being non narcotic, having no side effect, easy availability in surrounding area at desired price. Different parts of the plant have different active substances and these active substances may vary in their extent of activity and concentration. Most of active principles are present in leaves, flower, fruit, bark, root &amp; seeds of the plant.Inflammatory diseases are a major and worldwide problem. Gastrointestinal side effect is the major problem associated with the presently available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. In this review we have described some medicinal plants with respect to their anti- inflammatory action.

Conservation of medicinal plants of Western Ghats, India and its sustainable utilization through in vitro technology

Climate change, alien species, and use of land for intensive farming and development are causing severe threat to the plant genetic diversity worldwide. Hence, conservation of biodiversity is considered fundamental and also provides the livelihoods to millions of people worldwide. Medicinal plants play a key role in the treatment of a number of diseases, and they are only the source of medicine for majority of people in the developing world. The tropical regions of the world supply the bulk of current global demand for “natural medicine,” albeit with increasing threat to populations in the world and its genetic diversity. India is a major center of origin and diversity of crop and medicinal plants. India poses out 20,000 species of higher plants, one third of it being endemic and 500 species are categorized to have medicinal value. The Western Ghats is one of the major repositories of medicinal plants. It harbors around 4,000 species of higher plants of which 450 species are threatened. Currently, the number of species added to the red list category in this region is increasing, and the valuable genetic resources are being lost at a rapid rate. Demand for medicinal plants is increasing, and this leads to unscrupulous collection from the wild and adulteration of supplies. Providing high-quality planting material for sustainable use and thereby saving the genetic diversity of plants in the wild is important. During the last 25 years of intensive research, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute has developed in vitro protocol for rapid regeneration and establishment of about 40 medicinally important rare and threatened plants of Western Ghats. In situ conservation alone would not be effective in safeguarding these important species. Thus, utilizing the biotechnoligical approach to complement ex situ conservation program is becoming vital. Propagating biotechnology tools in plant conservation program is a prerequisite to succeed in sustainable use and to complement the existing ex situ measures. In addition to propagation, storage of these valuable genetic resources is equally important. In vitro slow growth of 35 species and cryopreservation using embryo/meristem/seed in 20 different species of rare medicinal plants of this region is accomplished. Plants developed in vitro of ten medicinal plants, which have restricted distribution, were reintroduced in the natural habitat as well.

CRESCIMENTO E SINTOMAS EM MUDAS DE ESPINHEIRA-SANTA COM OMISSÃO DE NITROGÊNIO, FÓSFORO E POTÁSSIO

A procura por espécies medicinais é crescente no Brasil, demandando, entre outras necessidades, pesquisas relacionadas à nutrição mineral de plantas. O objetivo foi avaliar o crescimento e caracterizar sintomas visuais de deficiência em mudas de espinheira-santa (Maytenus ilicifolia), em solução nutritiva sob condições de omissão de nutrientes. Os tratamentos foram omissão de N, P e K, solução completa e H2O desionizada. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, utilizando-se mudas de cinco meses de idade, mantidas por 105 dias em contato com solução nutritiva. As variáveis altura e diâmetro foram medidas mensalmente, para cálculo das taxas de crescimento. Avaliou-se a produção de matéria seca aérea e radicular, o volume radicular e os sintomas visuais de deficiência. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. A omissão de K não interferiu no crescimento em altura; a produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e da matéria seca total diminuiu com a omissão de N; na omissão de N as plantas apresentaram clorose generalizada e baixo crescimento; na omissão de P ocorreu apenas menor expansão do limbo foliar; para o K verificou-se necrose em ponta e bordas das folhas mais velhas.

The Medicinal Plants Economy of South Africa: Profile and Future Perspectives

South Africa is ranked as the third most biologically diverse country in the world and its forests contain a wide range of traditional medicinal plants. It is estimated that the country’s 200,000 traditional healers use approximately 3000 plant species as their materia medica for various diseases. The trade in medicinal plants is growing rapidly and is valued at between R750 million and R1 billion per annum. There are prospects for greater connections between the traditional and allopathic medicine systems which would increase the demand for medicinal plants. The industry faces several challenges in meeting an increasing demand.