Terminalia Paniculata Research Articles

Nesting Site Preferences of Ratufa indica indica in the Umblebyle Range Forest, Bhadravathi Division, Shimoga, Karnataka

Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica indica) is one of the four subspecies endemic to India (Abdulali 1952), common to northern and central Western Ghats among species Ratufa indica belonging to Subfamily Ratufinae. The study was designed to analyze the nest tree preferences of animals in the dry deciduous forests of the Umblebyle range, Shimoga, Karnataka (South India) during February, March, and April 2021, surveying 20 transects covering a distance of 47.7 km. Nest tree preferences were assessed by observing 406 dreys (nests) on 385 trees covering an area of 8350.89 ha. The nest trees came from 20 families and 41 species, with 12 tree species in the Family Fabaceae and 84 trees in the Terminalia paniculata having the highest preference. The Squirrels showed the highest preference for deciduous trees over semi-evergreen and evergreen trees. The most preferred tree height and nest height ranged between 11-20m, including 87.53% of nesting trees and 83.89% of nests, respectively. The average nest height was estimated to be 14.73 (±3.311) m, with a minimum and maximum height of 7 m and 28 m, respectively. The difference between average tree height and average nest height was 1.512m.

Comparison of Nesting site preferences of Ratufa indica indica in Umblebyle Range Forest 2021 and 2022

Ratufa indica indica is a gaint arboreal squirrel species endemic to India, common to Western Ghats. The study is designed to compare Nesting site preferences of Ratufa indica indica conducted in 2022 with the studies from 2021 in the Umblebyle range forest of Shimoga. The study uses Line transect methodology which was plotted using Arc GIS that includes 20 line transects of 47.7 kms covering a total area of 8350.89ha. Study from 2021 showed a total of 406 dreys (nests) constructed on 385 trees while the one from 2022 showed a total of 455 dreys constructed on 415 trees. The nest trees from 2021 belonged to 20 families and 41 species while the one from 2022 belonged to 22 families and 36 species with highest preference Family Fabaceae that included 12 tree species in 2021 and 8 tree species in 2022 respectively. Terminalia paniculata was most preferred tree species that included 84 and 85 trees in 2021 and 2022 respectively.The study also showed the animal preferred average tree height of 16.18 ± 3.43 (2021) and 18.05 ± 3.485m (2022). The studies further showed preference of Ratufa indica indica for deciduous trees over semi-evergreen and evergreen trees.

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of silver nanoparticles from the dye-yielding plants, Terminalia paniculata and Mallotus philippensis

Synthesis and physicochemical characterization of silver nanoparticles from the dye-yielding plants, Terminalia paniculata and Mallotus philippensis

Phytochemical and Biological Activities of the Genus Terminalia, Emphasizing on Terminalia paniculata L.: A Review

Terminalia is the second major genus belonging of family Combretaceae. Species from this genus have been used in outmoded popular medicine globally. But then, a little study was stated on Terminalia paniculata L. (TP). This is a complete literature review of various Terminalia plants highlighting on TP, about its biological and isolated constituents. The objective of this study is to fascinate the attention of unfamiliar activities of TP, thus conducive to the growth of novel therapeutics which might benefit health of individuals suffering from illnesses. Existing data on Terminalia was sourced from electronic databases like Scopus, Goggle Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Chemical Abstract earth and Springer Link. Plant based studies have led to extraction of various categories of phytochemicals like, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes, triterpenoid glycosides, lignan and ligan derivatives in Terminalia plants. Extracts and their isolated constituents of various Terminalia plants reported a good spectrum of activities. TP consist of polyphenols such as ellagic acid, 3,3’-di-O-methyyl ellagic acid and 3,4,3’-O-trimethyl flavellagic acid. Studies on Terminalia genus has opened a diverse active chemical component. Many biochemical potentials have authenticated use of Terminalia in therapy of different ailments in plant-based medicine. Future studies desired to discover bioactive constituents’ accountable pharmacological mechanisms. Terminalia paniculata is a tree native to southwest India (including the Western Ghats and Karnataka). Known in the timber trade as kindal. Though it has been used in the ancient system of medicine for menstrual problems, cough, bronchitis, cardiac debility, hepatitis, diabetes and in obesity, very little literature support is available on these biological activities, except for its few like acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity. This review is an attempt to emphasize on the phytochemical and biological activities of terminalia genus and the species Terminalia paniculata.

Polyherbal Formulation Ameliorates Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through Attenuation of Cardiac Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Via NF-κB/Nrf-2/HO-1 Pathway in Diabetic Rats.

The present study was intended to evaluate the effect of polyherbal formulation (PHF) made with 3 nutraceuticals, such as Piper nigrum, Terminalia paniculata, and Bauhinia purpurea on inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), which is induced by streptozotocin and nicotinamide administration in rats. We supplemented DCM rats with PHF (250 and 500 mg/kg/BW) for 45 days and evaluated their effects on oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory cytokines, and messenger RNA expressions of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) and its linked genes [heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), superoxide dismutase, catalase] along with inflammatory genes [tumour necrosis factor α and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)]. Our study demonstrated that PHF successfully attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress via messenger RNA upregulation of Nrf-2, HO-1, superoxide dismutase, and catalase and concomitantly with downregulation of tumour necrosis factor α and NF-κB. Conversely, PHF also protected hyperglycemia-mediated cardiac damage, which was confirmed with histopathological and scanning electron microscopy analysis. In conclusion, our results suggested that PHF successfully ameliorated hyperglycemia-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress via regulation of NF-κB/Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway. Therefore, these results recommend that PHF may be a prospective therapeutic agent for DCM.

Identification of adulterants of Terminalia arjuna bark from market samples through a pharmacognostical study

Background: Pharmacognostical parameters, namely macroscopic and microscopic techniques, are very important in the identification of drugs. The macroscopic and microscopic feature of medicinal plants is believable, accurate and involves less cost. So, the study of the morphology and the organoleptic nature of drugs is undertaken using highly sophisticated modern techniques. In Ayurveda, Arjuna bark is an important drug for the treatment of heart disorders and other diseases. There is a great demand for Arjuna bark in the market, and it is very prone to getting adulterated. To find out the correct identity of Arjuna bark from adulterants with the help of pharmacognostical techniques, the present study was undertaken. Materials and Methods: The Arjuna bark was obtained from the source tree and from four raw drug markets of the capital cities of south India. These five Arjuna bark samples were considered for analyzing their organoleptic characteristics; microscopic examination, polarization, fluorescence microscopic examination, powder microscopy, and thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the drug were used for authentication. Results: The Arjuna bark collected from the source tree and the market samples showed the same presentations, thus the market samples were acceptable. It is also found that the bark of the tree Terminalia paniculata is used as an adulterant in a negligible quantity. Conclusion: The present study reveals that, the chances of adulteration for T. arjuna are very less.

ASSESSMENT OF ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL AND ANTIGENOTOXICITY ANALYSIS THROUGH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS IN TERMINALIA PANICULATA ROTH

Objective: The present study is mainly focused on the antigenotoxicity and antioxidant potential of the fruit extract of an important dye yielding plant Terminalia paniculata Roth.
 Methods: Genoprotective activity of the fruit extract was studied by Allium cepa root tip assay. Three modes of treatment were used to perform the antigenotoxicity, that is, pre-treatment, post-treatment, and simultaneous treatment. For the study of antioxidant potential, four different assays were performed.
 Results: Antigenotoxicity studies revealed the protective role of the extract in chromosomal aberrations induced by 2% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on A. cepa root tip meristem. The fruit extract showed a significant modulatory effect by means of an inhibition percentage and also it showed a characteristic reversing of chromosomal aberrations induced by H2O2. While in the case of antioxidant activity, the plant extract showed an appreciable antioxidant potential. Four different assays were used to determine the antioxidant potential of T. paniculata. Of these 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate radical scavenging activity revealed almost equal effect to that of the standard.
 Conclusions: In the present investigation, it has been found that the important dye yielding plant T. paniculata has a significant role in various commercial industries such as food, cosmetics, clothes, and pharmaceutics due to its efficient protective role.

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Potential of the Poly Herbal Formulation: Identification of Bioactive Factors.

The present investigation is intended to prepare a Poly Herbal Formulation (PHF) with Piper nigrum (fruits), Terminalia paniculata (bark) and Bauhinia purpurea (bark) and assess their antioxidant and glucose-lowering effects utilizing in vitro models. The individual plant methanolic extracts and PHF are exposed to phytochemical examination and to distinguish the bioactive factors by GC-MS. We assessed the antioxidant properties of individual plant extracts and the PHF by using the DPPH scavenging method, H2O2 scavenging assay, TBARS assay and total antioxidant estimation. Likewise, the anti-diabetic activity was assessed by ɑ-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition and glucose diffusion inhibitory techniques. We found that PHF contains a high measure of total phenolics, total flavonoids and tannin compared to individual plant extracts. The GC-MS identified the bioactive components. We also found that PHF had significantly higher antioxidant and glucose-lowering effects than the individual plant concentrates. In conclusion, it could be reasoned that due to the nearness of antioxidant components, the PHF has good potential in the administration of hyperglycemia, diabetes and the related state of oxidative stress. This study shows that PHF is superior to individual plant extracts, supporting the conventional PHF concept.

Economic viability of agri-silvi-horticultural system

An experiment was conducted from 2006-2016 to study the economic viability of sapota timber based agroforestry system at University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad on medium black soils under rainfed conditions. The experiment consisted of sapota as major fruit tree species and five timber tree species, viz. Pterocarpus marsupium, Tectona grandis, Terminalia paniculata, Lagerstroemia lanceolata and Terminalia alata which were planted in between two sapota trees. Field crops, viz. soybean and safflower were sown ever year in alleys of sapota + timber trees in kharif and rabi seasons respectively. Recommended package of practices were followed for field crops and sapota trees and all the silviculture practices were followed for better growth of the timber trees. Height, diameter, marketable timber were higher in Tectona grandis with sapota and Lagerstroemia lanceolata with sapota as compared to other tree species. Both net returns, B:C ratio and IRR were higher in the field crops + Sapota + Tectona grandis (` 67129/, 3.84, 123% respectively) followed by field crops + sapota + Pterocarpus marsupium (` 64688, 3.74, 120% respectively) as compared to other tree species.

Forest health estimation in Sholayar Reserve Forest, Kerala using AVIRIS-NG hyperspectral data

The present study deals with analyzing forest health, its parameters, and suitability of hyperspectral data for vegetation health-related studies. Sholayar reserve forest in Kerala has a huge reserve of equatorial moist evergreen forest and demands preservation in every respect. Due to increased human interferences coupled with possible climate change, its health is undergoing a stage of deterioration. Stress levels in the canopy were assessed using a number of stress-related pigments. Detailed study of vegetation response to canopy leaf pigments have been carried out in the study. Airborne Visible Infrared Imaging Spectrometer Next Generation (AVIRIS-NG) data provides immense possibilities to study a number of stress-related pigments like anthocyanin, carotenoid, lignin, chlorophyll-a, b etc. Dominant species in these forests are Holigarna arnottiana, Grevillea robusta, Grewia tiliifolia, Syzygium cumini, Alstonia Scholaris, Cinnamomum verum, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Bischofia javanica, Mangifera indica, Bombax ceiba, Anogeissus latifolia, Terminalia paniculata etc. Apart from luscious natural vegetation, plantation of teak (Tectona Grandis), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), tea (Camellia sinensis), Coffee (Coffee Arabica), Palm-Oil tree (Elaeis guineensis) etc. also exists. Field data pertaining to one of the selected pigments was correlated with remotely sensed pigment estimates. Correlation of field measured chlorophyll concentration and EVI showed R2 = 0.421. Similarly, the anthocyanin index showed a correlation of R2 = 0.319. In the Sholayar Reserve Forest (493.0 km2) an area of 141.0 km2 was found to be in a healthy state. Whereas about 218.0 km2 of area exhibit moderately healthy condition and 77.0 km2 area was in the least healthy state.

Neotypification of Terminalia paniculata (Combretaceae)

While preparing a revised treatment of the family Combretaceae for “Flora of India Project,” our attention was drawn on Terminalia paniculata Roth (1821: 383) which was described on the basis of a specimen collected by Benjamin Heyne from peninsular India. The species is well documented in Indian Floras (e.g. Wight & Arnott 1834, Beddome 1869, Brandis 1874, Clarke 1878, Cooke 1903, Talbot 1911, Gamble 1919 and Chandrabose 1983). Gangopadhyay & Chakrabarty (1997) in their revision of the family Combretaceae of Indian subcontinent mentioned that the type of this species is not extant. The type material of T. paniculata housed in the Berlin herbarium (B; herbaria acronyms follow Thiers 2017) was presumably destroyed during the World War II. In the Kew herbarium (K), there is a collection by Benjamin Heyne (K000786096: image!) identified and listed in Wallich’s Numerical List as T. triopteris B.Heyne ex Wallich (1831: no. 3980B). This material contains two twigs, one flowering and the other fruiting and this appears to be a specimen not seen by Roth (1821) since he clearly mentioned in the protologue: “Fructum non vidi.” Thus, as per the provisions of the Code (Mc Neill et al., 2012), as there is no other extant original material (Article 9.7) traceable, a neotype (Articles 9.11 and 9.13) is designated here for T. paniculata from Peninsular India, where Benjamin Heyne made botanical explorations (Burkill, 1965). The neotype specimen is housed in the Central National Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, India (CAL) and its duplicate in the Madras Herbarium, Botanical Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Coimbatore, India (MH).

Rearing performance of tropical Tasar silkworm (Antheraea mylitta Drury) on Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and its commercial silk properties

Tasar silkworm, Antheraeamylitta Drury (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) is one of the commercially exploited non-mulberry silkworms mainly reared outdoor on many wild plants. The ecorace of tasar silkworm occurring in cashew (Anacardiumoccidentale L.) plantations of Puttur was identified as A. mylitta KE-02. Pooled egg, larval and pupal period of tasar silkworm upon indoor rearing on cashew recorded were 6.43, 28.69 and 25.36 days, respec-tively, with the effective rate of rearing of 40 %. The average cocoon weight, pupal weight and shell weight recorded were 6.24 g, 5.30 and 1.18 g, respectively. The high shell ratio of 22.26 %, shows a healthy trend for high yielding tasar rearing on cashew. The commercial silk properties of cashew reared cocoons were assessed in comparison to silk properties of cocoons reared on Terminalia paniculata. Average filament length, average non-breakable filament length, denier, strength and elongation were found 547.2 m, 1231.6 m, 8.92 D, 1.57 gpd and 16.9 %, respectively on cashew and 518.2 m, 161.94 m, 9.13 D, 1.73 gpd and 18.7 % , respectively on T. paniculata. The present study has documented the biology of tasar silk worm on cashew and also the commercial silk properties of cocoon reared on cashew at preliminary level.

Quantitation of Flavonoids in Barks of Selected Taxa of Combretaceae

The present study was done on the evaluation and quatification of Flavonoids in the barks of selected taxa of Combretaceae viz. Terminalia (Terminalia alata, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia catappa, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia pallida, Terminalia paniculata), Anogeissus acuminata, Anogeissus latifolia, Calycopteris floribunda, Combretum albidum and Quisqualis indica The selected species such as was randomly selected for the research and the quantitation of flavonoids were detected and identified by paper chromatography technique (Rf values) and standard methodology. The total flavonoid contents (TFC) varied from 77.94 to 238 mg/g, expressed as Rutin equivalents. We conclude that all the selected taxa Barks of Combretaceae possess and can be regarded as promising candidates for natural plant sources high value dietary rich flavonoids.

Anti-HIV-1 Activity of Ellagic acid Isolated from Terminalia paniculata

Objective: The present investigation evaluates the potential Anti-HIV-1 and antioxidant activity of the methanol extract of the leaves of Terminalia paniculata. This search for inhibitors of Anti-HIV-1 Integrase and Protease from medicinal plants of Western Ghats, India led to the isolation of Ellagic acid from the methanol extract of T. paniculata leaves. Methodology: The in vitro antioxidant activity was determined by different standard methods such as 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl radical (DPPH), metal chelation, superoxide radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation assays. The in vitro antiHIV-1 enzyme inhibition assays were carried out by standard protocols using Multiplate integration assay. The structure of Ellagic acid was elucidated on the basis of NMR, LC-MS and FTIR studies. Results: Ellagic acid has shown excellent in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity in the enzyme inhibition assays carried out with an IC 50 value of 8.7 µm and 70.4 µm against HIV-1 Integrase and HIV-1 Protease enzymes respectively. For the antioxidant assays carried out Ellagic acid has shown scavenging potential of 92.2 ± 0.03% of DPPH radical, 88.1 ± 0.41% chelation of metal ions, 68.02 ± 0.12% scavenging of superoxide anion radical and 85.52 ± 0.06% inhibition of lipid peroxidation all at a concentration of 40 ppm. Conclusion: The isolated bioactive molecule, Ellagic acid has shown highly efficient in vitro anti-HIV and antioxidant activity. The present study happens to be the first report on the HIV-1 inhibition ability of T. paniculata.

Deterioration of imported timber by marine borers along Visakhapatnam tropical harbour, India

For some time now, timber has been relegated to the back stage due to competition from modern alternatives. Yet, this lone renewable structural material is all set to stage a comeback soon because of the carbon benefits accruing from its use. Although India is blessed with over 4000 woody plant species, the country is timber deficient. In order to bridge the gap between supplies and demand, timber from different countries is being imported. But the performance of such timbers under various service conditions in different Indian environments is not known. Since information on these lines is desirable to put any timber to its best end-use, evaluation of the bioresistance of some of the imported timbers in marine regime was included in a larger programme and the results of this marine component are presented in this paper. A total of twenty timbers that originated from eleven countries together with two Indian timbers were subjected to marine exposure trial in Visakhapatnam tropical waters. The trial followed by data analysis distinguished the twenty imported timbers into five groups, viz., A. pseudoplatanus and Fagus sylvatica from Belgium with 8 months durability; A. pseudoplatanus, Fagus grandifolia, F. sylvatica and Fraxinus angustifolia from France and Havea brasiliensis from India with 9 months longevity; Fraxinus excelsior (Belgium) and Quercus robur (France) with 10 months life; Michelia champaka (India) and Shorea macroptera (Malaysia) with 14 months longevity and Dryobalanops aromatica (Malaysia), Pteocarpus soyauxii (Africa and Cameroon), Shorea s (Indonesia), Shorea robusta (Malaysia), Tectona grandis (Australia, Burma, Ghana, Ivory coast and Tanzania) and Xylia dolabriformis (Burma) with 18 months durability. Compared to the natural resistance of fifty-eight Indian timbers assessed earlier by various workers in the same harbour, performance of the twenty imported timbers tested now is considered as only moderate. While European timbers are advised to be used as marine structural components not in contact with sea water, others may be used universally in all marine applications. However, all the twenty imported timbers had exhibited inferior durability than Dalbergia sisoo, Diospyros melanoxylon, Kingiodendron pinnatum, Lagerstroemia hypoleuca, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Mimusops littoralis, Pterocarpus dalbergioides, Pterocarpus marsupium, Schleichera oleosa, S. robusta, Terminalia arjuna and Terminalia paniculata.

Total Carbon Stock of Tree Vegetation and its Relationship with Altitudinal Gradient from the Shervarayan Hills Located in India

The objective of present study was to assess the total carbon stock of tree vegetation and its relationship with altitudinal gradient from the Shervarayan hills located in India. Tree carbon stock determined by non-destructive method was 56.55 ± 12.28 t/ha. Regression analysis revealed that the quantity of carbon stock increased with altitude (R2 = 0.5703). The tree species Syzygium cumini shared maximum carbon stock followed by Anogeissus latifolia, Prumus ceylanica, Terminalia paniculata and Tamarindus indica. One way ANOVA revealed that the carbon stock among different forest types varied significantly (F(2,11) = 4.232, p 0.05), however, the contribution of higher tree size class (trees >330 cm girth at breast height) to total carbon stock (t/ha) was maximum (66%). The present study provides valuable data useful for modeling carbon stock potential of tree vegetation at national as well as at global level.

Geasters in the Western Ghats and west coast of India

Inventory in different locations of the Western Ghats and west coast of India during 2011–2013 yielded six species of geasters (<em>Geastrum fimbriatum</em>, <em>G. lageniforme</em>, <em>G. pseudostriatum</em>, <em>G. saccatum</em>, <em>G. schweinitzii</em> and <em>G. triplex</em>). Based on fresh basidiomata, illustrations of geasters are presented with macroscopic and microscopic observations. Fruit bodies of <em>G. lageniforme</em> were gregarious and abundant followed by <em>G. triplex</em>, while <em>G. pseudostriatum</em> were rare and solitary. Among the geasters, <em>G. triplex</em> was ectomycorrhizal with native tree <em>Terminalia paniculata</em> of the west coast. <em>Geastrum fimbriatum</em>, <em>G. pseudostriatum</em> and <em>G. schweinitzii</em> constitute the first record for the Western Ghats of India. Distribution, substrate preference, ectomycorrhizal features, economic value and conservation of geasters are discussed.

Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against sexually transmitted pathogens

Comprehensive management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) using vaginal or rectal microbicide-based intervention is one of the strategies for prevention of HIV infection. Herbal products have been used for treating STIs traditionally. Herein, we present in vitro activity of 10 plant extracts and their 34 fractions against three sexually transmitted/reproductive tract pathogens – Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Haemophilus ducreyi and Candida albicans. The plant parts were selected; the extracts/fractions were prepared and screened by disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory and minimum cidal concentrations were determined. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of selected extracts/fractions showing activity was performed. Of the extracts/fractions tested, three inhibited C. albicans, ten inhibited N. gonorrhoeae and five inhibited H. ducreyi growth. Our study demonstrated that Terminalia paniculata Roth. extracts/fractions inhibited growth of all three organisms. The ethyl acetate fraction of Syzygium cumini Linn. and Bridelia retusa (L.) Spreng. extracts was found to inhibit N. gonorrhoeae at lowest concentrations.

Terminalia paniculata bark extract attenuates non-alcoholic fatty liver via down regulation of fatty acid synthase in high fat diet-fed obese rats

BackgroundThis study was performed to understand the possible therapeutic activity of Terminalia paniculata ethanolic extract (TPEE) on non alcoholic fatty liver in rats fed with high fat diet.MethodsThirty six SD rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6): Normal control (NC), high fat diet (HFD), remaining four groups were fed on HFD along with different doses of TPEE (100,150 and 200 mg/kg b.wt) or orlistat, for ten weeks. Liver tissue was homogenized and analyzed for lipid profiles, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Further, the expression levels of FAS and AMPK-1α were also studied in addition to histopathology examination of liver tissue in all the groups.ResultsHFD significantly increased hepatic liver total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA) and MDA but decreased the activities of SOD and CAT which were subsequently reversed by supplementation with TPEE in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, TPEE administration significantly down regulated hepatic mRNA expression of FAS but up regulated AMPK-1α compared to HFD alone fed group. Furthermore, western blot analysis of FAS has clearly demonstrated decreased expression of FAS in HFD + TPEE (200 mg/kg b.wt) treated group when compared to HFD group at protein level.ConclusionsOur biochemical studies on hepatic lipid profiles and antioxidant enzyme activities supported by histological and expression studies suggest a potential therapeutic role for TPEE in regulating obesity through FAS.

Production and Quality of Pill-Millipede Manure: A Microcosm Study

This study deals with the production of manure by two pill-millipedes (Arthrosphaera fumosa and A. magna) that harbour in the Western Ghat forests of India, from mixed leaf litter of three plant species (Lagerstroemia microcarpa, Pongamia pinnata and Terminalia paniculata) under laboratory microcosm incubation for 4 weeks. Comparison of feed (applied as mixed leaf litter; ratio, 1:1:1 w/w/w) and manure (faecal pellets) of both millipedes revealed significantly lower total phenolics, organic carbon and C/N ratio (p < 0.05) in the manure. On the other, the contents of total nitrogen and phosphorus were significantly enhanced (p < 0.05). Our studies further indicate the possibility of harvesting the manure, from pill-millipedes fed on mixed leaf litter, with increased contents of nitrogen and phosphorus over a short duration. Performance of both manures showed similar impact with higher biomass of root and shoot, and length of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana). During the third week, cowpea showed root nodulation indicating the presence of plant growth-promoting rhizobia in the manure. Depending on the geographical and environmental conditions, suitable pill-millipedes could be employed for in situ and ex situ manure production for improving agricultural productivity.