High Value Medicinal Plant Research Articles

Assessment of Climate Change Impacts and its Implications on Medicinal Plants-Based Traditional Healthcare System in Central Himalaya, India

Medicinal plant-based healthcare system practiced by the traditional herbal healers (Vaidyas) plays a significant role in curing ailments. Phenology of many medicinal plants is altered due to changes in climatic variability. Studies towards possible effects of climate change on medicinal plants are particularly significant in the traditional healthcare system. The present study emphasizes that persistence of climatic variability will change the habitat and population of medicinal plants in the Himalayan region. There are indications that climate change is causing noticeable effects on life cycle and distribution of valuable medicinal plant resources. The perception of Vaidyas about medicinal plants has been documented to understand the impact of climate change on phenophases of medicinal plants and their effect on the traditional healthcare. The study reported 15 high-value medicinal plants which are used by the local people for curing various ailments. These medicinal plants are collected by Vaidyas from wild in appropriate time for their effective results following traditional, religious, and spiritual values. However, due to changes in the phenophases of these species, Vaidyas have also slightly changed the collection period which is against their tradition. The traditional healers have identified some other plant species as substitute of those plants which were used earlier for curing the same ailments so as to cope with the changes of phenophases of medicinal plants on health care systems. The present study is an attempt to generate unique information on the impacts of climate change on phenophases of medicinal plants and their effect on existing traditional healthcare system.

Evaluation of suitable DNA regions for molecular identification of high value medicinal plants in genus Kaempferia

ABSTRACTDNA barcoding coupled high resolution melting (Bar-HRM) is an emerging method for species discrimination based on DNA dissociation kinetics. The aim of this work was to evaluate the suitability of different primer sets, derived from selected DNA regions, for Bar-HRM analysis of species in Kaempferia (Zingiberaceae). Four primer pairs were evaluated (rbcL, rpoC, trnL and ITS1). It was observed that the ITS1 barcode was the most useful DNA barcoding region overall for species discrimination out of all of the regions and primers assessed. Thus, the primer pair derived from the ITS1 region was the single most effective region for the identification of the tested species, whereas the rbcL primer pair gave the lowest resolution. Our Bar-HRM developed here would not only be useful for identification of Kaempferia plant specimens lacking essential parts for morphological identification but will be useful for authenticating products in powdered form of a high value medicinal species Kaempferia parviflora, in particular.

Antimicrobial potential of fungal endophytes from selected high value medicinal plants of the Kashmir valley – India

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of endophytic fungi isolated from different high value medicinal plants of Kashmir valley. Evaluation of some endophytes has been carried for their possible antimicrobial activity from various parts of medicinal plants belonging to Kashmir valley (India). A total of twenty-eight fungal endophytes were isolated from the different parts of selected medicinal plants. Dichloromethane (DCM) extracts of all the morphologically different endophytes were prepared and subsequently checked for antimicrobial activities. Eight isolates showed good activity against gram positive bacteria with two isolates showing promising activity with MIC in the range of 0.5 – 1µg/ml. All the isolated endophytic extracts were completely devoid of antifungal activity. The seven-active endophytic fungal cultures were identified by ITS4 and ITS5 gene sequencing.

Investigation of antioxidant properties of <em>Withania somnifera</em> (L.) Dunal and influence of physico-chemical properties of soil along the topographic gradients in sub-tropical region of the Indian Himalaya

<p>A high value medicinal plant <em>W. somnifera </em>L. Indian Ginseng; Ashwagandha investigated for the antioxidant and influence of physico-chemical properties of soil on antioxidant along the topographical gradients in Kullu Valley, North Western Indian Himalaya. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in methanol extracts of fruits, leaves, stems and roots were quantified and their antioxidant activities were evaluated using the <em>in-vitro</em> assays such as DPPH, ABTS and FRAP. The study revealed that fruits, leaves, stems and roots of <em>W. somnifera</em> were potent source of natural phenolics and flavonoids and possesses antioxidant activities, which were significantly affected by the changes in altitude (p ≤0.05). Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in different parts of <em>W. somnifera</em> showed significant correlations with soil properties. The study conclude that changes in topographical gradients particularly altitude influenced antioxidant activities of <em>W. somnifera</em> and suggest that antioxidant rich population of a desired medicinal plant should be identified for their conservation management and sustainable utilization in pharmaceutical and food industries.</p><p> </p>

<em>Pistacia integrrima</em> Stewart ex Brandis: a less known high value medicinal plant

<p>The family Anacardiacea, best represented by the species <em>Pistacia integrrima </em>Stewart ex Brandis, is known worldwide for its manifold uses. It is widely used to cure various diseases like cold, cough, asthma, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, etc., and widely used in modern medicine. Therefore, an attempt has been made to assess the medicinal potential of the species both in traditional as well as in modern medicine system. These properties are supposed to be cured by different active compounds present in the plant. This paper provides the relevant information about medicinal properties of this high value medicinal plant<em>. </em></p>

Authentication Markers for Five Major Panax Species Developed via Comparative Analysis of Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequences.

Ginseng represents a set of high-value medicinal plants of different species: Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), Panax quinquefolius (American ginseng), Panax notoginseng (Chinese ginseng), Panax japonicus (Bamboo ginseng), and Panax vietnamensis (Vietnamese ginseng). Each species is pharmacologically and economically important, with differences in efficacy and price. Accordingly, an authentication system is needed to combat economically motivated adulteration of Panax products. We conducted comparative analysis of the chloroplast genome sequences of these five species, identifying 34-124 InDels and 141-560 SNPs. Fourteen InDel markers were developed to authenticate the Panax species. Among these, eight were species-unique markers that successfully differentiated one species from the others. We generated at least one species-unique marker for each of the five species, and any of the species can be authenticated by selection among these markers. The markers are reliable, easily detectable, and valuable for applications in the ginseng industry as well as in related research.

Changes in the leaf proteome profile of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal in response to Alternaria alternata infection.

Withania somnifera is a high value medicinal plant which is used against large number of ailments. The medicinal properties of the plant attributes to a wide array of important secondary metabolites. The plant is predominantly infected with leaf spot pathogen Alternaria alternata, which leads to substantial biodeterioration of pharmaceutically important metabolites. To develop an effective strategy to combat this disease, proteomics based approach could be useful. Hence, in the present study, three different protein extraction methods tris-buffer based, phenol based and trichloroacetic acid-acetone (TCA-acetone) based method were comparatively evaluated for two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) analysis of W. somnifera. TCA-acetone method was found to be most effective and was further used to identify differentially expressed proteins in response to fungal infection. Thirty-eight differentially expressed proteins were identified by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/TOF MS/MS). The known proteins were categorized into eight different groups based on their function and maximum proteins belonged to energy and metabolism, cell structure, stress and defense and RNA/DNA categories. Differential expression of some key proteins were also crosschecked at transcriptomic level by using qRT-PCR and were found to be consistent with the 2-DE data. These outcomes enable us to evaluate modifications that take place at the proteomic level during a compatible host pathogen interaction. The comparative proteome analysis conducted in this paper revealed the involvement of many key proteins in the process of pathogenesis and further investigation of these identified proteins could assist in the discovery of new strategies for the development of pathogen resistance in the plant.

Discovery of anti-microbial and anti-tubercular molecules from Fusarium solani: an endophyte of Glycyrrhiza glabra.

Glycyrrhiza glabra is a high-value medicinal plant thriving in biodiversity rich Kashmir Himalaya. The present study was designed to explore the fungal endophytes from G. glabra as a source of bioactive molecules. The extracts prepared from the isolated endophytes were evaluated for anti-microbial activities using broth micro-dilution assay. The endophytic strain coded as A2 exhibiting promising anti-bacterial as well as anti-tuberculosis activity was identified as Fusarium solani by ITS-5.8S ribosomal gene sequencing technique. This strain was subjected to large-scale fermentation followed by isolation of its bioactive compounds using column chromatography. From the results of spectral data analysis and comparison with literature, the molecules were identified as 3,6,9-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-4,4-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-1H-benzo[g]isochromene-5,10-dione (1), fusarubin (2), 3-O-methylfusarubin (3) and javanicin (4). Compound 1 is reported for the first time from this strain. All the four compounds inhibited the growth of various tested bacterial strains with MIC values in the range of <1 to 256μgml-1 . Fusarubin showed good activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv with MIC value of 8μgml-1 , whereas compounds 1, 3 and 4 exhibited moderate activity with MIC values of 256, 64, 32μgml-1 , respectively. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that reports significant anti-tuberculosis potential of bioactive molecules from endophytic F. solani evaluated against the virulent strain of M. tuberculosis. This study sets background towards their synthetic intervention for activity enhancement experiments in anti-microbial drug discovery programme. Due to the chemoprofile variation of same endophyte with respect to source plant and ecoregions, further studies are required to explore endophytes of medicinal plants of all unusual biodiversity rich ecoregions for important and or novel bioactive molecules.

Study to assess high demand and high commercial value Medicinal Plants of Jammu and Kashmir India - with special focus on routes of procurement and identification

Study to assess high demand and high commercial value Medicinal Plants of Jammu and Kashmir India - with special focus on routes of procurement and identification

The synergistic effects of sucrose and plant growth regulators on morphogenesis and evaluation of antioxidant activities in regenerated tissues of Caralluma tuberculata

Caralluma tuberculata (C. tuberculata) is a very important medicinal plant with a range of anti-diabetic and weight reduction properties. This high-valued medicinal plant is nowadays considered as endangered due to its unsustainable elimination from wild habitats. There is lack of research efforts on its propagation to overcome escalating demand. In this research study, an effort has been made to optimize protocol for large-scale mass propagation and production of natural antioxidants. Highest callogenic response (87.2 %) was observed from shoot tip explants on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 30 g l−1 sucrose and combination of 2, 4-D (2.0 mg l−1) and BA (1.0 mg l−1). During shoot morphogenesis, 50 g l−1 sucrose along with BA (2.0 mg l−1) and GA3 (1.0 mg l−1) enhanced shoot regeneration (91.3 %), mean shoot length (2.6 cm) and shoots per explant (24.5) as compared to control. The combination of IBA and IAA (2.0 mg l−1) was found optimum for root induction (74.98 %), mean root length (4.1 cm) and roots per shoot (6.9) as compared to control. The plantlets were successfully acclimatized in plastic cups and various tissues were investigated for accumulation of antioxidant secondary metabolites including phenolics, flavonoids, stress enzymes and antioxidant activities. The superoxide dismutase enzyme was higher in shoots; protein content was higher in callus cultures; phenolics, DPPH and protease activity were higher in plantlets, while flavonoids, peroxidase, reducing power and total antioxidant activities were higher in wild plants. This simple protocol is very useful for commercial production of consistent plantlets and metabolites of interest.

Conservation status evaluation of Berberis species across the Karakoram Mountain Ranges, Pakistan using IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria

Berberis species are endangered, high-value medicinal plants in Pakistan with important eco-cultural, commercial and livelihood roles in mountain communities. To assess the geographical distribution of Berberis species across the Karakoram Mountain Ranges in Pakistan, we used IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (2001) to calculate the extent of occurrence (EOO, 200 m a.s.l.). Status evaluation revealed that both subspecies meet the criteria set for critically endangered species. Prolonged disregard of its declining population trend might lead to its extinction; therefore, integrated conservation efforts are necessary.

Corrigendum: Plant barcoding of a wildlife sanctuary across a wide climatic zone, Uttarakhand, India

Background: Earlier, we successfully worked on two plant DNA barcode projects, one genera specific and the other one involving tree species from a province. In recent efforts, we are leading a consortium of six institutes of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research to barcode plant species across India, where each institute is focusing on a respective phytogeographic location. As a part of this project, CSIR-NBRI is involved in DNA barcoding of a wild life sanctuary, Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, in the west Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Results: We have collected 238 angiosperms, 270 bryophytes, 255 pteridophytes, 265 lichens, and 154 algae species from the sanctuary, spanning a wide climatic range, mainly due to a steep altitudinal gradient (1300–6315m.a.s.l.). So far we have analyzed 178 accessions of angiosperm plants from this hot spot using the four standard plant barcode loci. MatK was not used further after initial failure in PCR amplifications. PCR success ranged from 88% to 95%, trnH–psbA being the lowest and rbcL being the highest. ITS exhibited the lowest rate of sequencing success, while trnH–psbA exhibited the highest. ITS and trnH–psbA exhibited 90% success in species identification. Among the non-flowering plants, 75 accessions of lichen have been analyzed using ITS. PCR and sequencing success was 75% and 80%, respectively. Contamination with other fungi was a major problem faced during sequencing of lichen samples. Barcoding of other lower group of plant species from this region will be carried out in the near future. Under the consortium, our main aim is to develop a plant barcode data base of high-value medicinal plants. Significance: Barcoding the flora, including a lower group of plant species of a particular hot spot, spanning a wide range of climatic zones,will certainly impact on conservation, policymaking, and environmental protectionbydifferent government agencies. The study will also help test the efficacy in resolving species identification in a specific geographic region.

Micropropagation of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Curcuma Sp&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;., a Threatened Medicinal Plant

A rapid and improved micropropagation protocol was developed for Curcuma sp., a threatened and high value medicinal plant, using main bud sprout and top of rhizome sprout as explants. Stepwise optimization of different plant is to change the growth regulator, reduce the level of macro-nutrition and add humate. The present study has created multiple shoot and root induction and plantlet in vitro culture, transfers the plantlet to ex vitro. The M2 medium (MS’s macronutrition 1/4, MS’s micronutrition + Morel’s vitamine + coconut milk 10% + sucrose 25 g/l + humate 1.0 ml/l + agar 7.5 g/l + 2,4D 0.5 mg/l + BAP1.0 mg/l + TDZ 1.0 mg/l) is the highest ratio of callus induction. The TA3 medium (MS’s macronutrition 1/4 + MS’s micronutrition + Morel’s vitamin+ coconut milk 10% + sucrose 25g/l + humate 2.0 ml/l + 2,4 D 0.5 mg/l + Kinetin 2.0 mg/l + TDZ 1.0 mg/l + BAP 1.0 mg/l2 + NAA 2.0 mg/l + activated carbon 2.0 g/l) is able to create buds and regeneration multiple bud for Curcuma sp. TA3 medium adding IAA 2 mg/l and IBA 0.5 mg/l has resulted in the highest indices of quantity, healthy shoot and large diameter of roots. A large number of healthy plantlets are induced by the medium of MS’s macronutrients 1/2, MS’s micronutrients full, Morel’s vitamin, humate 3 g/l, coconut milk 150 ml/l, activated carbon 3 g/l, composition phytohormone: IAA 2 mg/l + BAP 2 mg/l + TDZ 0.5 mg/l. Further studies should focus on optimizing the humate concentration for these species of Zingiberaceae. The duration of the research is from 5/2015 to 4/2016 at Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Tay Nguyen University, Vietnam.

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN ILOC0S SUR

This research documented local plant species with its botanical interest and scientific names used by the traditional healers in Ilocos Sur. In this study, the profile of the respondents who were Ilocano traditional healers were identified in terms of sex, age, serve as a healer, mentorship type of disease treated and specialization in the indigenous medicinal treatment The indigenous knowledge of the Ilocano traditional healers was studied based on the botanical remedies and human ailments of the identified plant species in Ilocos Sur. It also included the methods of preparation of the medicinal plants used by the traditional healers. Fifty three (53) local traditional healers were interviewed to provide needed information. Based on the findings of the study the traditional healer in Ilocos Sur possesses rich ethnic pharmacological knowledge. The study allows for identifying many high value medicinal plant species, indicating high potential for economic development through sustainable collection of their medical plan. It also showed that the study area has plenty of medicinal plants to treat a wide spectrum of human ailments. Many people in the study areas of Ilocos Sur are still depending on medicinal plants, at least for the treatment of some simple diseases such as, cold, cough, fever, headache, poison bites, skin diseases and tooth infections. It is necessary to acquire and preserve this traditional system of medicine by proper documentation and identification of specimen.This traditional knowledge on the indigenous uses of the medicinal plants could boost new innovations in the pharmaceutical industry and have many beneficial applications such as new medicinal trials for some diseases like: malaria, Tuberculosis and AIDS, of which will develop the health care sector in ilocos Sur. Knowledge sharing varied among the traditional healers. Some would freely share while others keep their techniques secret .Most of the healers do not follow rigid rules on dosage, but were practically strict to abstain or avoid some kind of food while their patients are under treatment. Many people in the study areas of Ilocos Sur are still depending on medicinal plants .The traditional healers in Ilocos Sur possess rich ethnic pharmacological knowledge on Medicinal plant. This allows the study for identifying many high value medicinal plant species, indicating high potential for economic development through sustainable collection of these.

Status of Human-Wildlife Conflict and Assessment of Crop Damage by Wild Animals in Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal

This study tries to explore the status of Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) within the Gaurishankar Conservation Area (GCA), Nepal. The maximum damage of maize (39%) and potato (30%) crops were reported due to wildlife in the study area. Major wildlife pests were monkey, porcupine, goral, barking deer, jackal and Himalayan black bear. About ninety five percent of respondents reported crop damage problem was increasing in the area after GCA establishment. Fair and quick disbursement of compensation for crop loss and regular monitoring of the wild animal needed to be adopted to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Change in cropping and crop composition, particularly cultivation of high value medicinal plants were also suggested. The findings suggest participatory approach to manage problematic animal species in GCA.Journal of Institute of Science and Technology, 2015, 20(1): 107-111

In vitro biomass accumulation of calli and root enhancement of Leucas aspera (Willed) Linn. under stress conditions

Leucas aspera is a high value medicinal plant in India, Java, Mauritius and Philippines. The effects of plant growth regulators effects on in vitro callus biomass accumulation and root enhancement were assessed using leaf and stem explants. Leaf and stem explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with different concentrations of auxins and cytokinins. The highest amount of callus biomass accumulation was observed on leaf explants. Comparisons between stem and leaf explants indicated that leaf explants showed the greatest callus formation. Greatest callus formation was observed on NAA (2 mg L−1) (79.22%), followed by 2,4-D (2.0 mg L−1) (70.11%) and IBA (2.0 mg L−1) showed the least formation (36.42%). Maximum callus formation was observed on stem explants; these showed 60.70% from 2,4-D (2 mg L−1), NAA (2 mg L−1) showed 40.16%, and far less was obtained on IBA (31.60%). The greatest root formation (75.32%) was obtained on IBA (2 mg L−1) and the number of roots per shoot obtained was 26.55%; IAA (2 mg L−1) showed 66.82% root formation and the number of roots obtained was 21.22%; NAA (2 mg L−1) showed 54.33% root formation. In conclusion, root enhancement increased best under dark conditions, the conditions most suitable for regeneration of large numbers of high value clonal plants for commercial production and isolation of bioactive compounds.

Genetic Diversity Assessment of &lt;I&gt;Valeriana Jatamansi&lt;/I&gt; Jones Using Microsatellites Markers

Valeriana jatamansi (family Valerianaceae) is a highvalue medicinal plant used in traditional and modern medicine. In the present study, 25 populations (151 genotypes) of V. jatamansi were collected from Uttarakhand, India and investigated using nuclear and chloroplast SSR markers. Six nuclear and seven chloroplast polymorphic SSR primer pairs were used to evaluate genetic variability and population relatedness. These primer pairs have generated 55 fragments (27 nuclear, 33 chloroplast). The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 7. Expected heterozygosity of the 25 V. jatamansi population was 0.108-0.222 with a mean of 0.165 for nuclear SSR markers and 0.147- 0.265 with a mean of 0.215 for chloroplast SSR markers. Based on AMOVA analysis, 6.0% (P = <0.001) of total genetic variation was found. Nuclear SSR markers exhibited highest genetic diversity in samples collected from 1501 to 1800 m amsl altitudinal range and from pine forest habitat. In case of cpSSR, samples collected from 2101 to 2400 m amsl and grassland habitat exhibited highest diversity. These markers could be helpful in the identification and prioritization of genetically diverse populations/individuals for conservation and utilizing them in genetic improvement of V. jatamansi .

Bioactive compound production by adventitious root culture of Oplopanax elatus in balloon-type airlift bioreactor systems and bioactivity property

Oplopanax elatus Nakai is a high-value medicinal plant, but the availability of this resource is rare under natural conditions. To provide a novel source of O. elatus products, we used balloon-type airlift bioreactor systems to investigate a culture method. This method was developed to obtain adventitious roots (ARs), which contain a high yield of bioactive compounds. Antioxidant and anticancer properties were also investigated to evaluate the bioactivity of AR extracts. The bioreactor culture more efficiently promoted AR growth and bioactive compound accumulation (polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids) than the agitated flask and solid cultures. During bioreactor culture, the maximum AR fresh (114.6 g L−1) and dry (12.7 g L−1) weights were found in the medium supplemented with 50 g L−1 sucrose and 3 mg L−1 IBA. The highest bioactive compound content was also found in the same medium; the productivities of polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids reached 1913.9, 459.7, and 713.7 g L−1, respectively. The polysaccharide, phenolic, and flavonoid content of ARs from the bioreactor culture were compared with those of roots from field-grown plants. The polysaccharide content reached the maximum levels in ARs (152.5 mg g−1 DW) and in roots of 3-year-old plants (147.5 mg g−1 DW), with no evident difference. The phenolic (32.1 mg g−1 DW) and flavonoid (50.5 mg g−1 DW) contents in ARs were higher than those in the roots of plants grown in the field for 2 and 3 years. The kinetic study showed that the highest AR biomass and bioactive compound productivity were found at 40 days. Therefore, 40 days of culture is appropriate for the mass production of bioactive compounds from O. elatus by AR culture in bioreactor systems. Polysaccharide, phenolic, and flavonoid contents were higher in bioreactor-cultured ARs than in the roots of 2-and 3-year-old field-grown plants. ARs exhibited an effective antioxidant activity; the rate of DPPH radical scavenging in the AR extract was higher than that in the root extracts of field-grown plants (2 and 3 years); IC50 of AR extract was only 33.5 μg mL−1. The AR extract also elicited anticancer effect on human cancer cell lines, particularly the gastric cancer cell line AGS. AGS cell proliferation was reduced by 50 % after 24 h of these cells were exposed to 78.3 μg mL−1 AR extracts. Our results suggested that the bioreactor culture of O. elatus AR can be used to produce bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, phenolics, and flavonoids). ARs are also a potential resource to develop O. elatus products.

Cold stress affects antioxidative response and accumulation of medicinally important withanolides in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Indian ginseng) is a high value medicinal plant. It synthesizes a large array of biologically active withanolides. In this study, two month old seedlings of AGB002 (wild genotype) and AGB025 (cultivated genotype) of W. somnifera were subjected to cold stress (4°C) under controlled environment. Plants were analyzed for three medicinally important secondary metabolites (withanolide A, withanone and withaferin A), lipid peroxidation (MDA), cell injury, superoxide radical (O2−) accumulation and anti-oxidative enzymes activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR). Increases in the titers of superoxide anion and MDA were observed from day 1 to day 7 in both genotypes, although the increase on the first day of exposure was significantly higher. Enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, APX and GR also showed an increasing trend in both genotypes and reached a maximum on day 7 of the cold temperature exposure; however, this increase was higher in AGB002 than AGB025. Withanolide A (WS-1) in the roots of both genotypes significantly decreased on the first day of cold exposure and then showed a recovery until day 7. WS-1 was not detected in the leaves of either genotype. Withanone (WS-2) content in the leaves also decreased towards the end of the cold period in both genotypes. Cold stress also elicited the accumulation of WS-2 in AGB025, but was not detectable in control seedlings. At maturity, WS-2 was also detected in control plants. Furthermore, a significant increase in the leaf withaferin A (WS-3) content was recorded from day 1 to day 7 of the cold exposure in both the genotypes, suggesting the possible involvement of withanolides in cold-protection. AGB002 showed comparatively higher accumulation of antioxidant enzymes and selected marker withanolides than AGB025, indicating that AGB002 is better adapted to cold than AGB025. It could be inferred from these observations that cold stress induces bioactive withanolide accumulation in W. somnifera as a mechanism for scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). These studies also provide an impetus for enhancing the withanolide accumulation in W. somnifera using controlled environment technology.

On the present status of distribution and threats of high value medicinal plants in the higher altitude forests of the Indian eastern Himalaya

The eastern Himalaya region is a rich repository of medicinal plants. Excessive collection and unsustainable harvesting of medicinal plants from the wild are leading to a depletion of populations and threatening species in the region. A study was conducted to explore the diversity, distribution and population status of selected medicinal plants species in the higher altitudes of Arunachal Pradesh, India through extensive field surveys and consultations with the local communities. Out of about 75 medicinal plants recorded, 41 rare and commercially important medicinal plants were observed in the sub-temperate to alpine forest within an altitudinal range of 1500–4500 m. Taxonomically these species fall under 25 families of higher plants, of which 31 are dicots, seven are monocots and three gymnosperms. Many threatened species like Taxus wallichiana , Coptis teeta , Panax pseudoginseng , Panax sikkimensis were recorded in specific localities. The western part of the state exhibits maximum species diversity. Out of the various threats observed, improper harvesting, habitat loss and trade are found to be more destructive to the population. Intensive efforts from both in situ and ex situ conservation practices are necessary for sustainable management and conservation of these species.