Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology MEDICINAL CHASMOPHYTES OF URUMBIKKARA HILLS, IDUKKI DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA

Transcription

1 Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology e-issn: Print ISSN: MEDICINAL CHASMOPHYTES OF URUMBIKKARA HILLS, IDUKKI DISTRICT, KERALA, INDIA 1 Jikku Maria Joseph, 1 Binu Thomas*, 2 Rajendran A and 2 Prabhu Kumar K.M. 1 PG Department of Botany, Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad, Kottayam , Kerala, India. 2 Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore , Tamil Nadu, India ABSTRACT The present paper shows 45 species of medico-potential chasmophytes from Urumbikkara Hills of Idukki district, Kerala. These medicinal s are used either their any part only or the whole for the treatment of different type of diseases by local people of Urumbikkara. This study highlights medico-potentiality of chamophytic species and their efficacy to cure various ailments. Key words: Chasmophytes, Medicinal uses, Urumbikkara Hills, Idukki, Kerala. INTRODUCTION The human life and culture has directly or indirectly been influenced by their surrounding environment [1]. Medicinal s have attracted considerable global interests in recent years. In India an estimated 65% of the population in rural areas can use medicinal s to help meet their primary health care needs and also it has the second largest tribal population in the world [2].The use of s as medicine was practiced by our ancestors, a process which must have started by trial and error [3]. Today lots of materials are used in the products of enormous array of medicines. The medicinal s are the group of s in which one or more of its parts contain substances that can be for the synthesis of useful drugs [4,5]. The vegetation on the surface of rocks or stones may be termed as lithophytes and it in crevices of rocks in which more finely grained components and more water accumulate than on the surface, produce a somewhat copious vegetation, that of chasmophytes [6, 7]. Rocky cliffs are the microhabitats in which slightly mineral rich and it can support the growth and survival of chasmophytic species. The occurrence of such habitat is ultimately depends on the number of factors such as geographical location, levels of exposure, high evaporation rates, nature of soil geology and the water runoff during the rainy season [8,9]. Due to some threatened factors such as deforestation, rapid industrialization, urbanization and other developmental activities can adversely affect both natural vegetation as well as traditional culture and now it is declining alarmingly[10]. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study area: Urumbikkara Hills Idukki District, Kerala The present study was conducted in the rocky habitats of Urumbikkara hills (9º 15' and 10º 21' of North latitude and 76º 37' and 77º 25' of East longitudes) of Idukki district, Kerala (Fig. 1-3). It is one of the biodiversity rich region of Western Ghats possess many floristic elements with varied climatic conditions. The temperature is ranges between 19 C C. The humidity is about 45-61% and wind from west at 10 K/h. This area gets rain from two monsoon seasons, the South-West monsoon and the North- East monsoon. The average rainfall is around 3600 mm per year. The South-West monsoon starts in June and ends in September. The North-East monsoon season is from October to November. Pre-monsoon rains during March to May are accompanied by thunder and lightning. The months like December. January and February are cooler, while March, April and May are warmer [11]. Documentation During present study, an attempt were made to find out the medicinal uses of potential chasmophytic species from the Urumbikkara hills of Idukki district, Kerala during December 2013 July In this field visits, personal interviews and direct observation was done to Corresponding Author: Binu Thomas binuthomasct@gmail.com 11 P a g e

2 document the traditional knowledge of the local people about the therapeutic value of the chasmophytes (Fig. 4). The specimens were collected and identified taxonomically by using available Floras and Literature [12, 13,14]. The voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbaria of PG Department of Botany, Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad, Kottayam for future reference. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The rich biodiversity wealth in Urumbikkara Hills provides many herbal medicines to be used by local inhabitants nearby the hills. Among these chasmophytes are also used for curing various ailments. The present study resulted in the documentation of 45 medicinal chasmophytes spreading over 30 families and 43 genera (Table-1). The dominant medicinal families include, Asteraceae is the first one with 7 species followed by Lamiaceae with 4 species. While the families like Euphorbiaceae, Malvaceae, Melastomataceae, Oxalidaceae, Urticaceae are having 2 species each and other families are represented by single species each (Fig. 5). The dominant medicinal genera includes Pouzolzia and Leucas with 2 species each. In addition to the angiosperms, some of the medicinal chasmophytic ferns like Actinopteris radiata Link, Adiantum raddiannum L., Lygodium flexuosum L., Selaginella delicatula (Desv.) Alston and Selaginella involvens P. Beauv. also documented from the study area. There are different parts like Stem, Leaves, Roots, Rhizome, Tubers, Pseudo-bulbs, Flowers and were used for the preparation of various crude drugs for different ailments. Among these Leaves (17 Nos.) are mostly used followed by s (12 Nos.), Roots (7 Fig. 1. Map of Idukki district, Kerala Nos.), Stem (4 Nos.), Flowers (2 Nos.), Tubers (1 No.), Pseudo-bulbs (1 No.) and Rhizome (1 No.) respectively (Fig. 6). The various ailments were treated by using these drugs are Diarrhoea and dysentery, Asthma, Ring worm, Epilepsy, Pimples, Skin diseases, Rheumatism, Wasp sting, Improving the memory power, Cuts and wounds, Inflammations, Varicose veins, Cough and cold, Fever, Piles, Tonsillitis, Stomach disorders, Head ache, Chest pain, Malaria, Warm infestation, Diabetes, Snake poison, Wart, Sores, Enhance lactation, Kidney stone, Ear ache, Heart diseases, Tooth ache and Ulcers. The studies on medicinal chasmophytes were done by Binu Thomas et al. [15]. According to their observation, a total of 40 species of therapeutically potential chasmophytes were documented from the Southern Western Ghats areas of Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu. These medicinal s singly used or used with mixtures by the Irular tribe inhabiting in these areas. The result of the study also reveals that Irular tribes still depend on medicinal s for their primary health care needs. Similarly, the studies on some edible potential chasmophytes of rocky areas of Coimbatore district, Tamilnadu was carried out by Binu Thomas and Rajendran [16]. According to their observation, a total of 20 chasmophytic species belonging to 16 families and 17genera are being used as edible s by tribes as well as local people residing in the study area. These wild edibles are not only for the supplement for food but also it contributes necessary nutrient requirements to both aboriginal as well as village people near by the study areas. Fig. 2. View of Urumbikkara Hills 12 P a g e

3 Fig. 3 Satellite image of Urumbikkara Hills Fig. 4 First author is discussing with local inhabitants of the study area Fig. 5. Analysis of Dominant families of medicinal chasmophytes Fig. 6. Analysis of different medicinal parts of chasmophytic species Table 1. List of Medicinal chasmophytes from Urumbikkara Hills of Idukki district Plant Sl. Botanical name Family Vernacular name parts No used Actinopteris radiata 1. Actinopteridaceae Myiladi Leaf Link (Pl. 1A) Adiantum raddiannum 2. L. Adiantaceae Kalladi 3. Ageratum conyzoides L. Asteraceae Plakkadi Leaf Medicinal uses The leaf juice is given orally to cure diarrhoea The juice obtained from whole is used for treatment of asthma Used against ring worm (puzhukady). The leaves paste is mixed with lime and applied on affected part 13 P a g e

4 Asparagus racemosus Willd. Begonia malabarica Lam. (Pl. 1C) Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. Bulbophyllum distans Lindl. Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don Centella asiática (L.) Urban Asparagaceae Sathaveri Root tuber Begoniaceae Rathasoori Stem Oxalidaceae Orchidaceae Nilamthengu Nilapadachi Pseudo bulb Apocynaceae Nithiyakalyani Leaf Apiaceae Kodangal Leaf Chromolaena odorata (L.) King & Robins. Asteraceae Communistpacha Leaf Cleome viscosa L. Cleomaceae Kattukadugu Leaf Clidemia hirta (L.)Don. Commelina benghalensis L. Desmodium triflorum (L.) DC. Drymaria cordata Edgew. Elephantopus scaber L. Emilia sonchifolia (L.)DC. Melastomataceae Kattukadaly Root Commelinaceae Padathali Leaf Fabaceae Sathyapullu Caryophyllaceae Anachevian Leaf Asteraceae Anachuvadi Root Asteraceae Muyalchevian Leaf Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Nilampatti Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. Hyptis suaveolens (L.)Poit. Impatiens scapiflora Heyne ex Roxb. Asclepiadaceae Naruneendi Root Lamiaceae Kattumalli Root Balsaminaceae Parachedi The root tuber juice and milk is mixed in equal quantity and this mixture used to treat epilepsy The stem paste is applied on the face during night, for curing pimples The whole is used in chronic skin troubles Chopped pseudo bulbs boiled in coconut oil are applied to cure rheumatism The juice of the leaves is a good remedy for wasp sting Used for memory problems, leaf paste with raw goat milk is taken daily one times Leaf paste is applied on wounds for speedy healing The fine paste of leaves is prepared and applied to the inflammations and boils The root juice is used for varicose vein The leaf paste is applied on cuts and wounds The juice is mixed with black pepper (Piper nigrum) and the decoction given orally to control cough The leaf paste is applied on wounds The root is boiled with water, this mixture used twice daily for piles The leaf paste is mixed with small amount of salt and used for tonsillitis The decoction used for dysentery The root is boiled with a small amount of water then it is mixed with honey and given orally for stomach disorders The root paste is used for head ache The decoction of entire is used for chest pain 14 P a g e

5 22. Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Konginni 23. Leucas aspera (Willd.) Spreng. Lamiaceae Thumba 24. Leucas ciliata Benth. Lamiaceae Kattuthumba Lygodium flexuosum L. Medinilla beddomei Clarke flower Lygodiaceae Parrevalli Root Melastomataceae Parrepuli 27. Mimosa pudica L. Mimosaceae Thottavaddi 28. Ophiorrhiza mungos L. (Pl. 1D) Leaf Rubiaceae Kalluva Root 29. Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae Puliyarila Leaf Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth. Pouzolzia wightii Bennett Pouzolzia zeylanica (L.) Bennett. Rhynchoglossum notonianum (Wall.) Burtt.(Pl. 1E) Sauropus androgynous (L.) Merr. Piperaceae Mashipatcha stem Utricaceae Thirivalen Leaf Utricaceae Gesneriaceae Euphorbiaceae Thiripala Kakkapacha Velicheera 35. Scoparia dulcis L. Scrophulariaceae Kallurukki Scutellaria oblonga Benth. Selaginella delicatula (Desv.) Alston Selaginella involvens P. Beauv (Pl. 1B) stem stem Lamiaceae Kaattutulsi Leaf Selaginellaceae Selaginellaceae Cheravapipe Parapadappa 39. Sida rhombifolia L. Malvaceae Vankurunthotti Leaf The decoction of used for malaria The fresh juice of leaf and flower are mixed with small amount of asafetida (Ferula asafetida) and used twice daily for worm infestation in children The decoction is used for dysentery The root juice is applied on the affected region of rheumatic pain with hot water fomentation The leaves of are eaten fresh for reducing body heat during fever The whole extract is used as remedy for diabetes The roots are used against the bites of venomous snakes and mad dogs The leaf juice mixed with garlic (Allium sativum) and this mixture applied on wart The aerial parts of are used as dressing for wounds The leaf juice is used for wound healing The paste applied to sores The paste of both leaf and stem are applied on bite scar against the poison The whole is given to women after delivery to enhance lactation The juice obtained from both stem and leaf used for kidney stone The juice of fresh leaves is prepared and a few drops are applied to the ear to relieve ear pains The whole juice is applied on wound and healing The whole juice is applied on poisonous bite The leaves are used for heart diseases 15 P a g e

6 40. Spilanthes calva DC. Asteraceae Palluvedanachedi Infloresc ence 41. Tridax procumbens L. Asteraceae Odiyanpachila Leaf The inflorescence is kept pressed in between aching tooths, used to relieve tooth ache The leaf juice applied on cuts and wounds The leaf paste is used for treating wounds 42. Thunbergia fragrans Roxb. Acanthaceae Valliyila Leaf 43. Urena lobata L. Malvaceae Oorppan Root The root is used for rheumatism 44. Vernonia cinerea (L.) The leaf juice is given orally to Asteraceae Puvankurunnila Leaf Less. cure diarrhoea 45. Zingiber roseum The rhizome juice is used for Zingiberaceae Malayinchi Rhizome (Roxb.) Rosc. (Pl. 1F) stomach ulcers Plate 1 A). Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Link B). Selaginella involvens (Sw.) Spring C). Begonia malabarica Lam. D). Ophiorrhiza mungos L. E). Rhynchoglossum notonianum (Wall.) Burtt. F). Zingiber roseum (Roxb.) Rosc. 16 P a g e

7 CONCLUSION The present information regarding medicopotentiality of chasmophytic s which are distributed in the Urumbikkara hills of Idukki district of Kerala is an exhaustive survey made by authors. These results revealed that, wide usage of such potential medicinal chasmophytes by local inhabitants of the area for curing various ailments which are occurring in their daily life. It indicates that, the people of the study area still have a strong belief in the efficacy and success of herbal medicine. The results of the present study also provides an evidence that medicinal s continue to play an important role in the health care system of this local and native people of study area. REFERENCES 1. Radhakrishnan K, Pandurangan AG, Pushpangadan P and Sasidharan A. Less known ethnomedicinal s of Kerala state and their conservation. Ethnobot, 8, 1996, WHO. Traditional Medicine Strategy Report. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, Umapriya T, Rajendran A, Aravindhan V, Binu Thomas and Maharajan M. Traditional Medication of Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu. J Pharm, 4(3), 2010, Dwivedi SK. Overview of Ethnobotany Practices in India. In: S.K. Dwivedi (eds.), Techniques for scientific validation and Evaluation of Ethnoveterinary Practices in India, Bareilly, 1998, Binu Thomas and Rajendran A. Leafy vegetables used by Mullukuruma tribe in Wayanad District of Kerala. J Econ Taxon Bot, 35(4), 2011, Schimper A F, Plant geography up on a physiological basis. Oxford University Press, England, Porembski S, Barthlott W, Dorrstock S and Biedinger N. Vegetation of rock outcrops in Guinea; Granite inselbergs, sandstone, table mountains and Ferricretes; Remarks on species numbers and endemism. Flora, 189, 1994, Dani, A, Desert rocks as Plant refugia in the Near East. The Bot Review 65,1999, Ibisch PL, Rauer G, Rudolph D and Barthlott W. Floristic, biogeographical and vegetational aspects of pre-cambian rock outcrops (inselbergs) in eastern Bolivia. Flora 190, 1995, Ignacimuthu S, Sankaranarayanan K and Kesavan L. Medico-ethnobotanical survey among Kanikar tribals of Mundanthurai Sanctuary, Fitoteropia, 69, 1998, Jikku Maria Joseph, Binu Thomas, Rajendran A and Varghese MC. Ornamental chasmophytes of Urumbikkara hills, Western Ghats region of Idukki District, Kerala, India. Res Plant Biol 4(3), 2014, Gamble JS. Flora of the presidency of madras Vol: 1-3. Adlard & Son, Limited. London, Sivarajan VV and Matthew P. Flora of Nilambur, Western Ghats, Kerala. Shiva Offset Press, Dehra Dun, India, Sasidharan N. Biodiversity documentation for Kerala, Part-6: Flowering s. Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), Peechi. Kerala, Binu Thomas, Ramachandran VS, and Rajendran A. Ethnomedicinal chasmophytes of Southern western Ghats in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu, India. Hamdard med, 54(3), 2011, Binu Thomas and Rajendran A. Edible Chasmophytes. In: Peter K.V. (Ed.), Climate Resilient Crops for the future. New India Publishing Agency, New Delhi, P a g e