Tylophora Indica Research Articles

Ethnomedicinal knowledge and utilization of the medicinal plant resources by the tribal people of the Jhargram District, West Bengal, India

The study strives to investigate and document the traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge of indigenous plant species used by the tribal people of Jhargram district, West Bengal, India. It has been stated by the 142 informants that, out of a total of 80 plant species, 45 classes, 46 orders, 46 families and 75 genera are generally used as medicinal plants to cure several diseases. The most dominant medicinal plant families found in this region are Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Anacardiaceae, Lamiaceae, Acanthaceae and Malvaceae. The most important species based on use value (UV) are Azadirachta excelsa, Cissus quadrangularis, Tylophora indica and Ocimum tenuiflorum. The informant consensus factor (Fic) values range from 0.46 to 0.71. The fidelity level (FL) value in the present study ranges from 25.58% to 93.42%. The study makes it clear that the aged informants have contributed more to the information about the value of the ethnomedicinal plants. Less information from the younger generation proves significant erosion of the traditional knowledge of this precious store. Some ethnomedicinal species with high UV and FL need to be reassessed for their phytochemical and pharmacological importance.

Cytotoxic potential and metabolomic profiling of alkaloid rich fraction of Tylophora indica leaves

Tylophora indica (Burm f.) Merrill, belong to family Asclepiadaceae, is considered to be a natural remedy with high medicinal benefits. The objective of this work is to assess the metabolomic profile of T. indica leaves enriched in alkaloids, as well as to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of these leaves using the MTT assay on human breast MCF-7 and liver HepG2 cancer cell lines. Dried leaves of T. indica were extracted by sonication, using methanol containing 2 % (v/v) of acetic acid and obtained fraction was characterized by HPTLC and UPLC-MS. The UPLC-MS study yielded a preliminary identification of 32 metabolites, with tylophorine, tylophorine B, tylophorinine, and tylophorinidine being the predominant metabolites. The cytotoxicity of the extract of T. indica was evaluated on HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines, yielding inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 75.71 μg/mL and 69.60 μg/mL, respectively. Data suggested that the phytochemical screening clearly showed presence of numerous secondary metabolites with moderate cytotoxic efficacy. In conclusion, the future prospects of T. indica appear promising for the advancement of phytopharmaceutical-based anticancer medications, as well as for the design of contemporary pharmaceuticals in the field of cancer chemotherapy.

Hydrothermally synthesized fluorescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots for catalytic efficiency and anti-counterfeiting application

Here, Tylophora indica plant extract was utilized to create nitrogen-doped carbon dots by hydrothermal method. The synthesized NDCDs was employed to anti-counterfeiting and enhancing the catalytic activity of Malachite Green dye. The ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and FT-IR measurements was used to analyze the optical properties and the development of NDCDs as well as the source of Tylophora indica. Using HR-TEM, XRD, and XPS, the structure and elemental contents of the produced NDCDs was investigated. The HRTEM images showed that the NDCDs had a d-spacing of 0.37 nm and an average particle size of 4.3 ± 1 nm. After being subjected to UV light at 365 nm, the produced NDCDs began to glow blue, with a quantum yield (QY) of 16.1 %. The ID and IG ratio values for NDCDs were found to be 0.86. With rate constant values calculated at 0.1830 min−1, respectively, the synthesized NDCDs were found to be a viable catalyst for the Malachite Green (MG) dye reduction process utilizing freshly prepared NaBH4. In addition, the NDCDs solution is used as fluorescent ink. The printed patterns retain their anti-counterfeiting properties even after being heated and stored in an environment for an extended period, indicating the NDCDs stability for prospective anti-counterfeiting applications.

Elicitation Induced α-Amyrin Synthesis in Tylophora indica In Vitro Cultures and Comparative Phytochemical Analyses of In Vivo and Micropropagated Plants.

Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merrill is an endangered medicinal plant that possesses various active agents, such as tylophorinine, kaempferol, quercetin, α-amyrin and beta-sitosterol, with multiple medicinal benefits. α-amyrin, a triterpenoid, is widely known for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, gastroprotective and hepatoprotective properties. In this study, we investigated the metabolite profiling of tissues and the effects of cadmium chloride and chitosan on in vitro accumulation of alkaloids in T. indica. First, the callus was induced from the leaf in 2,4-D-, NAA- and/or BAP-fortified MS medium. Subsequent shoot formation through organogenesis and in vitro roots was later induced. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based phytochemical profiling of methanolic extracts of in vivo and in vitro regenerated plants was conducted, revealing the presence of the important phytocompounds α-amyrin, lupeol, beta-sitosterol, septicine, tocopherol and several others. Different in vitro grown tissues, like callus, leaf and root, were elicited with cadmium chloride (0.1-0.4 mg L-1) and chitosan (1-50 mg L-1) to evaluate the effect of elicitation on α-amyrin accumulation, measured with high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). CdCl2 and chitosan showed improved sugar (17.24 and 15.04 mg g-1 FW, respectively), protein (10.76 and 9.99 mg g-1 FW, respectively) and proline (7.46 and 7.12 mg g-1 FW), especially at T3 (0.3 and 25 mg L-1), in the leaf as compared to those of the control and other tissues. The antioxidant enzyme activities were also evaluated under an elicitated stress situation, wherein catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) displayed the highest activities in the leaf at T4 of both of the two elicitors. The α-amyrin yield was quantified with HPTLC in all tested tissues (leaf, callus and root) and had an Rf = 0.62 at 510 nm wavelength. Among all the concentrations tested, the T3 treatment (0.3 mg L-1 of cadmium chloride and 25 mg L-1 of chitosan) had the best influence on accumulation, irrespective of the tissues, with the maximum being in the leaf (2.72 and 2.64 μg g-1 DW, respectively), followed by the callus and root. Therefore, these results suggest future opportunities of elicitors in scaling up the production of important secondary metabolites to meet the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry.

Efficacy of Different Fungicides and Trichoderma Isolates against Leaf Blight Disease of Piper longum, Tylophora indica and Hibiscus subdariffa under in vitro

Leaf blight of the medicinal plants (Piper longum, Tylophora indica and Hibiscus subdariffa) is one of the most significant diseases that severely damage these crops throughout the year in West Bengal .So, management of this disease is essential at now. A few chemical fungicides and trichoderma isolates were tested under in vitro against the disease-associated pathogens in order to identify efficient chemical fungicides and bio agents.It was found that the trichoderma isolates T-2 and T-3 were effective against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, whereas the isolates T-1 and T-2 were efficient in inhibiting the growth of the test pathogen better against Fusarium sp. and Sclerotium rolfsii.With a higher percentage of inhibition (77.60%), copper oxychloride was the most effective fungicide against Fusarium sp. Conversely, carbendazim and dithane m-45 were more effective against Sclerotium rolfsii and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, showing 78.33% and 77.93% of inhibition, respectively, and less effective against Fusarium sp at higher concentrations (400 ppm). To determine whether or not these chemical fungicides and trichoderma isolates are effective under in vivo, they will be tested in the field against the corresponding pathogens associated with the disease.

GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds present in leaves, stem, and roots extract of Tylophora indica (Burm.fil.) Merr.

Plants serve as a boundless source of raw materials for pharmaceuticals and have been used as an important source of medicine for several years. Identifying natural compounds from medicinal plants is useful for the discovery of novel therapeutic agents. Tylophora indica is perennial climber which possess many medicinal properties. Although it also contains many bioactive compounds which have role in various biological activity such as anti-inflammatory activity, anti-oxidant activity, and anti-cancer activity. The present study aimed to identify the bioactive compounds from methanolic and hexane extract of the leaves, stems, and roots of T. indica using GC-MS analysis. GC-MS analysis was performed by using standard protocols. Willey and NIST libraries were used in the identification of components, and their retention indices were compared. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various prevailing compounds like Levomenthol, 2-Butanone, 3,3-dimethyl-1-(methylsulfonyl)-,O[(methylamino)carbonyl] oxime, Squalene, 5–methyl–2–(1–methylethyl)–(1α,2β,5β)– cyclohexanol, Oleic acid and 2-propyloxirane etc. These identified compounds play a vital role in various biological activities which were confirmed by Dr. Duke’s phytochemical and ethnobotanical databases (https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/). The findings of this study demonstrate that T. indica is a rich source of numerous bioactive compounds that can be useful in halting the progression of several disorders.

Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr alleviates tracheal smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness in ovalbumin-induced allergic-asthma model in guinea-pigs: Evidences from ex vivo, in silico and in vivo studies.

Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr is a climbing perennial plant reported in Indian traditional system of medicine for its use in allergy and asthma. However, only few scientific studies have been performed in the past to validate its antiasthmatic potential. The present study deals with investigation of airway smooth muscle relaxant and antiasthmatic potential of extract and subsequent fractions prepared from T.indica. The most active fraction of T.indica leaves selected through bio-guided activity was subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis for chemical profiling. The binding affinity of identified compounds in fraction towards M3 and H1 receptors was determined by molecular docking study. F-2 (chloroform fraction prepared from methanolic extract of T.indica leaves) was examined for its smooth muscle relaxant properties using isolated trachea of guinea-pig. Further, F-2 was evaluated through in vivo studies employing ovalbumin-induced asthma model in guinea-pigs. F-2 was found most effective in bioassay-guided fractionation. Characterization by LC-MS analysis revealed presence of five major bioactive compounds in F-2 that showed good docking interactions with M3 and H1 receptors. The ex vivo study demonstrated that F-2 could significantly relax tracheal rings via targeting multiple signalling pathways videlicet, namely, noncompetitive antagonism of the histamine and muscarinic receptors, β2-adrenergic stimulation and activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase. In in vivo studies, F-2 ameliorated airway hyperresponsiveness and decreased broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) levels of inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin E (IgE). These results confirm the traditional use of T.indica as an antiasthmatic agent which are evidenced through ex vivo, in silico and in vivo studies.

Studies on Leaf Blight Disease of Medicinal Plants (Piper longum, Tylophora indica, Hibiscus subdariffa) in Lower Gangetic Plains of West Bengal, India

Herbal medicinal plants are in great demand for their use in food preparations, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic and beauty aids. But its availability is reduced every year due to attack of fungal disease i.e. leaf blight. Therefore an experiment was conducted to gather the knowledge about the future management aspect of this disease. Here three medicinal plants viz, Piper longum, Tylophora indica and Hibiscus subdariffa were planted and observed the disease throughout year. The characteristic symptoms of the disease along with causal organisms (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides- Piper longum, Sclerotianum rolfsii- Tylophora indica, Fusarium sp- Hibiscus subdariffa) were recorded. In the seasonal study, the lowest disease incidence and severity of the disease were observed in the month of August and higher in June. Hibiscus subdariffa showed less disease incidence (15.33%) and severity (6.11%) at initial stage (August) and 67.33% & 42.46% respectively at peak period (June). But Piper longum and Tylophora indica showed higher disease incidence and severity at the same times. All these pathogens were isolated in PDA medium from the infected parts of plants and confirmed their pathogenicity. The cultural characteristics along with their micrometric measurement of spores were recorded in four different media (PDA, CZA, OMA and MMA). Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was found to grow better in PDA (9.0 cm) along with high dry weight (1.47g) and lowest growth in maize meal medium (4.8cm). In Sclerotium rolfsii, highest radial growth (9.0cm) and dry weight (1.48g) were observed in maize meal medium but no growth in Czepek’dox. Fusarium sp showed highest radial growth (8.3 cm) and dry weight (1.34 g) in czepek dox and lowest in maize meal agar medium (4.4cm).

Elicitor mediated enhancement of shoot biomass and lupeol production in Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex. Schult. and Tylophora indica (Burm. F.) Merrill using yeast extract and salicylic acid

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. and Tylophora indica (Burm. F.) Merrill shoot cultures were treated with different concentrations of yeast extract (YE; 25–200 mg/L) and salicylic acid (SA; 50–200 µM), and their effect on lupeol production was assessed. The maximum dry weight (DW) biomass was recorded when H. indicus shoots were treated with SA (50 µM) and T. indica shoots with YE (200 mg/L). Highest lupeol yield (335.40 ± 0.04 µg/g DW) was obtained in H. indicus shoots after treatment with 50 µM of SA for 3 weeks. Whereas in T. indica, maximum lupeol content (584.26 ± 8.14 µg/g DW) was recorded by giving treatment with 25 μM of SA for 6 weeks.

Development of Nano-Niosomal Formulation of Alkaloids from Tylophora Indica for Improving Bioavailabilitythrough Oral Delivery

Development of Nano-Niosomal Formulation of Alkaloids from Tylophora Indica for Improving Bioavailabilitythrough Oral Delivery

In Vitro Anti-Proliferative, and Kinase Inhibitory Activity of Phenanthroindolizidine Alkaloids Isolated from Tylophora indica.

The phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid (-)-tylophorine has been reported for its significant anticancer activity working through different biomechanistic pathways. The current study aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids isolated from Tylophora indica. Six phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid (compounds 1–6) in addition to septicine (7), chlorogenic acid (8), and chlorogenic acid methyl ester (9) were isolated from Tylophora indica using different chromatographic techniques including vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) and preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The isolated compounds structures’ were determined using various spectro-analytical techniques, i.e., 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectrometry. The isolates’ structural stereochemistry and structural geometries were determined with the help of chiroptical techniques together with comparisons with the available standard samples. The in vitro anti-proliferative activity on three different cell lines, MCF-7, HepG2, and HCT-116 were evaluated. Among all the isolated compounds, tylophorinidine (5) was the most active cytotoxic agent with the lowest IC50 values at 6.45, 4.77, and 20.08 μM against MCF-7, HepG2, and HCT-116 cell lines, respectively. The bioactivities were also validated by the in vitro kinase receptors inhibition assay. Compound (5) also exhibited the highest activity with lowest IC50 values (0.6 and 1.3 μM against the Aurora-A and Aurora-B enzymes, respectively), as compared with all the isolated alkaloidal products. The structure activity relationship on the molecular properties, molecular attributes, and bioactivity levels were analyzed, interrelated, and the molecular docking studies on two different receptors, Aurora-A and Aurora-B, were determined, which provided the confirmations of the bioactivity with receptor-ligand geometric disposition, energy requirements, lipophilicity, and detailed the binding pharmacophore involvements responsible for bioactivity elicitations.

Detection and molecular characterization of cucumber mosaic virus infecting Tylophora indica (Burm. f. Merrill)

Tylophora indica is a vital medicinal herb effective in the treatment of respiratory disorders. Typical mosaic and chlorotic yellow spots on leaves had been observed since 2015–16 on T. indica at Anand, India. Examination of naturally infected symptomatic leaves with the transmission electron microscopy revealed spherical virion of 28–32 nm size. Further, for molecular characterization, total RNA extracted from the symptomatic leaves and Cucumber mosaic virus was detected using specific degenerate primers with PCR, especially designed for this study. The complete genome sequence of the CMV was determined using the overlapping primers strategy. The genome comprised 8647 base pairs and predicted to five open reading frame encoded major functional proteins. The protein 2b encoded by a sub-genomic region of the RNA2 segment, is genetically distinct in the CMV variants of the subgroup I and II. The assembled and annotated sequences were submitted to NCBI Genbank and the phylogenetic inference clearly indicated that the sequenced TAA-CMV variant belongs to subgroup IB of Cucumber mosaic virus type species. Sequence identity revealed that 3′ untranslated regions (UTR) of all three RNAs were more conserved than the 5′ untranslated region. As per our reviewed literature, this is the first comprehensive report on complete genome sequence of CMV infecting T. indica.

Flow cytometry and start codon targeted (SCoT) genetic fidelity assessment of regenerated plantlets in Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merrill.

Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merrill. is a pharmacologically important plant, popular for alkaloidal and non-alkaloidal richness. Large scale propagation of T. indica is difficult in the wild as the seeds are small and the frequency of germination is very poor. In the present study, the genome size estimation of in vitro regenerated (indirect, direct and somatic embryo mediated) T. indica was made by flow cytometric method. Clonal fidelity of the regenerants was assessed using a start codon targeted (SCoT) molecular marker. Initially, the explants were inoculated on Murashige and Skoog basal medium supplemented with various concentrations of plant growth regulators like 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D), Kinetin, 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP) and 1-naphthalene acetic acid either singly or in combinations. The highest callus induction frequency (87.75%) was obtained in 6.7 µM 2,4-D added MS medium which metamorphosed into progressive stages (globular, heart, torpedo, and cotyledonary) of embryos. Mature and healthy somatic embryos efficiently germinated into plantlets on 8.8 µM BAP + 1.4 µM GA3 enriched MS medium. Histological and scanning electron microscopic study confirmed the above developing stages. The regenerated shoots were rooted best in 2.45 µM Indole-3-butyric acid supplemented solid MS medium. The plants were hardened and acclimatized with 90% survivability. The flow cytometric 2C DNA content of indirect, direct and somatic embryo derived plants was 1.896 pg, 1.940 pg and 1.926 pg respectively, very similar to the mother plant (1.928 pg). SCoT marker generated a high percentage of monomorphic bands (94%) revealing similarity with the mother plant, thus ensuring genetic fidelity. To the best of our knowledge, this is perhaps the first ever report of 2C DNA content estimation and SCoT marker based genetic homogeneity study in T. indica.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11240-022-02254-z.

Photochemical analysis and antibacterial activity Tylophora indica (Burm. F.) Merill

Tylophora indica is a threatened medicinal plant which belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae. T. indica is a medicinal woody climber it is commonly used to treat Asthma, demand for leaves of T. indica in the pharmaceutical trade due to its use as a remedy for diabetes and also as a tonic of the nerves and as a laxative other ailments. The present paper reports the phytochemical analysis, antibacterial and antioxidant activity of a threatened plant. Phytochemical studies were taken up and the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids was confirmed by qualitative analysis and antibacterial activity of extracts of different T. indica explants were performed against gram positive and gram negative bacteria by the disk diffusion method. The activities of the compounds were compared with standard strain for antibacterial properties of the imine base and its solvent extract evaluated and presenting in indicate that the compounds are active in exhibiting antibacterial role also carried out.

Vincetoxicum indicum (Burm.f.) Mabb. - a case of transient abnormal secondary thickening in stem

Vincetoxicum indicum (Burm.f.) Mabb. (Syn. Tylophora indica (Burm.f.) Merr., T. asthmatica W. &A.), an important twining medicinal plant of India, was found to show a transient anomalous secondary thickening to facilitate the twisting of stem around a support. The very young stem had a continuous primary xylem cylinder, the protoxylem of which differentiated to two large bundles on the opposing sides and many smaller bundles in between. In the initial stages of maturation, the cambium outside the two large protoxylem groups behaved abnormally in producing more phloem outwards and little or no secondary xylem inwards to produce two wedge shaped phloem groups on opposite sides. The production of crescent shaped secondary xylem on the other two sides which fell at a right-angled plane resulted in bulging of these sides away from the anomalous cambium to create a rectangular stem having two broad sides which were used as the facing sides of stem against a support. As soon as the twisting nature was established, the anomaly was reversed and the anomalous cambial patches started behaving normally to produce a complete ring of secondary xylem. As this abnormal behaviour happened only during the twisting of stem, this is considered as an adaptational anomalous secondary thickening.

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL AND FT-IR ANALYSIS OF METHANOLIC LEAVES EXTRACTS OF HEMIDESMUS INDICUS AND TYLOPHORA INDICA

Medicinal plants are of great importance for the health of individuals and communities. Hemidesmus indicus and Tylophora indica are used as traditional medicines. These plants contain a lot of bioactive compounds. The present investigation is carried out in Hemidesmus indicus and Tylophora indica leaves. In the present study, the methanol extract of H. indicus and T. indica were subjected for preliminary phytochemical analysis through FT-IR spectral analysis and the bioactive compounds were identified. The Preliminary Phytochemical analysis of methanolic leaves extract of H.indicus and T.indica revealed the presence of secondary metabolites. FT-IR analysis of methanolic leaf extract of Hemidesmus indicus and Tylophora indica revealed 16 and 13 major compounds respectively. The H.indicus has higher bioactive compounds compared to T.indica.

Protective Effect of Tylophora indica against Streptozotocin Induced Pancreatic and Liver Dysfunction in Wistar Rats

The objective of the study is to evaluate the ethanolic leaf extract of Tylophora indica (ELTI) on pancreatic and hepatic oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The serum blood glucose and liver enzymes (AST, ALT and ALP) were estimated in all the groups. The elevated blood glucose levels and liver enzymes were found to be decreased with ELTI in STZ induced diabetic rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S- transferase (GST) and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) were also decreased, while an increase in the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were observed in pancreas and liver with ELTI treatment in STZ induced diabetic rats. Histopathology reveals that the protective effect of ELTI over STZ induced oxidative damage in both liver and pancreas. These results indicated that ELTI has more potential antioxidant effects on diabetic-induced oxidative stress.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial behaviour of Tylophora indica leaf extracts against selected food microbial pathogens

Evaluation of Antimicrobial behaviour of Tylophora indica leaf extracts against selected food microbial pathogens

Chemical Profiling of Tylophora indica (Burm. F.) Merrill. Shoot Cultures Established Through Leaf Explant

Tylophora indica (Burm. F.) Merrill. is an important medicinal plant of Asclepiadaceae family. Leaf explants were utilized for establishment of shoot cultures in Murashige and Skoog’s medium fortified with sucrose (3%) and different cytokinins individually as well as in combinations. Optimum 28.90 ± 0.41 shoots regenerated in medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA, 4 µM) and kinetin (Kn, 8 µM), when leaves of second node were placed adaxially with upright position for 8 weeks. Further transferring it to same medium for another 4 weeks formed 63.80 ± 1.45 shoots. The shoots were successfully rooted using earlier published media for the same plant and healthy rooted shoots were hardened and acclimatized to field. High performance thin layer chromatography fingerprint revealed that the in vitro shoots were able to synthesize metabolites at par with in vivo shoots.

Alkaloid-rich plant Tylophora indica; current trends in isolation strategies, chemical profiling and medicinal applications

Tylophora indica, a threatened medicinal plant of family Asclepiadaceae, grows profoundly in Asia, Africa, Australia, Oceanic Islands, Ceylon, Malay island, and Borneo. The plant is a twinning herb that is excessively used in folk medicine as a substitute of ipecac, an expectorant. Different parts of the plant are accredited for the anti-asthmatic, antibacterial, anti–psoriasis, antimicrobial, antiulcer, antiallergic, antidiarrhoeal, hypolipidemic, and anxiolytic properties. Antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antiangiogenic, anti-tumor, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, anti-rheumatic, and diuretic activities are also attributed to the magnificent medicinal plant owing to the occurrence of various active phytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, phytosterols, tannins, and primary metabolites. The plant has been exploited by the ethnic people due to the immense medicinal importance, leading to the endangerment of the plant species. The review brings to light the important pharmacological attributes, folk medicinal uses, and biotechnological approaches that must be followed to save the plant from extinction.