Medicinal plants used in the treatment of Gastrointestinal disorders in Bellary district, Karnataka, India

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1 Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge Vol. 12(2), April 2013, pp Medicinal plants used in the treatment of Gastrointestinal disorders in Bellary district, Karnataka, India Siddalinga Murthy S M 1 & Vidyasagar G M* *Department of Botany, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga , Karnataka; 1 ADB First Grade College, Harapanahalli , Karnataka gmvidyasagar@rediffmail.com Received ; revised An ethnomedicobotanical survey of Bellary district, Karnataka, comprising seven taluks was conducted during About 32 species of folk drug plants belonging to 32 genera and 27 families were found to be used as a remedy for gastrointestinal disorders by the rural and forest ethnic people. The Scientific, local and family names of these medicinal plants along with their parts used and mode of their administration are given in the present paper. Keywords: Traditional knowledge, Medicinal plants, Gastrointestinal disorders, Bellary, Karnataka IPC Int. Cl. 8 : A61K 36/00, A01D 7/00 Man depended on plants not only for food, but also to cure his various ailments since several thousand years. Most common gastrointestinal disorders are indigestion (Dyspepsia), lack of hungrier (Appetite), stomach pain, ulcers, dysentery and diarrhea, constipation and piles. The causes for the gastrointestinal disorders vary based on the age of the person, locality and the mode of life style. The common causes are contaminated food and water supplies, nutritional factors and also pathogens like bacteria, viruses, protozoan parasites and helminthes. According to WHO 80% of the populations living in the developing countries rely almost exclusively on traditional medicine 1. At present about 65% of the Indian population is dependent on the traditional system of medicine 2. In India, it is reported that traditional healers use 2,500 plant species and 100 plant species serve as regular sources of medicine 3. Local herbal practitioners in the study area are using a variety of plant species for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders successfully. The main objective of this survey was to document the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants of Bellary district used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Documenting the indigenous knowledge through ethnomedicobotanical study is important for the conservation of biological resources as well as *Corresponding author their sustainable utilization. Gastrointestinal disorders are very commonly seen problems in the society and effective drugs are very much required. The results of this study will attract the Scientists, Researchers, Pharmaceutical industries and Herbal healers and play an important role in reducing the gastrointestinal problems in society Bellary, one of the districts in Karnataka has a population of lakhs as per the 2011 census. People exhibit a vast diversity in their culture, tradition and living system. The district has a very rich heritage of herbal drugs. The district occupying an area of 8,447 sq km encompasses the latitudinal parallels ranging from 14 o 30 1 to 15 o 50 1 North and to the longitudinal meridians of 75 o 40 1 to 77 o 11 1 East. The district has 7 taluks namely, Bellary, Hadagali, Hagaribommanahalli, Hospet, Kudligi, Sandur and Siruguppa (Fig. 1). The types of soils in the district are mainly black cotton and red. The climate is semi arid with mixed type of vegetation consisting of semi evergreen, dry deciduous and scrub forests. Average elevation of the district is 478 m above sea level. The annual average rainfall and temperature are 636 mm and 32 o C, respectively. Methodology The information on plants used for treating gastrointestinal disorders of folklore source was obtained during the ethnomedicobotanical survey of

2 322 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE VOL 12, NO. 2 APRIL 2013 Fig. 1 Map of study area Bellary district conducted in 2008 to For this purpose, frequent field trips were made to various villages belonging to all the 7 taluks of the district. A total of 30 herbal healers (26 men and 04 women) of age group between 45 and 86 yrs belonging to various communities and tribes such as, Swamijis, Valmikis, Koravas, Kurubas and Lambanees were identified, interviewed and the information given by them about the uses of medicinal plants in the locality were recorded. The data collected through PRA method and PIC was taken from each informant. Data on the local names of folk drug plants, parts used, method of preparation and dosage were noted. The ethnic as well as the cultural importance of the drug plants were also recorded. The specimens of all drug plants were photographed, collected and identified by referring to Flora of Gulbarga district and three volumes of Flora of Presidency of Madras 4,5. Voucher specimens were made by using standard plant press, authenticated and deposited at the Herbarium centre of the Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Botany, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga. Results The data obtained from the survey is compiled in Table 1, where the plant species are arranged in alphabetical order. A total of 32 species belonging to 32 genera and 27 families have been reported for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. For each species scientific name with voucher number, family, local name, parts used and method of drug preparation and dosage are provided. Families such as, Fabaceae, Mimosaceae, Rutaceae, Asteraceae and Zingiberacae were with 2 species each. Different plant parts were used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In general, leaves are highly used followed by fruits, stem, roots, seeds, whole plant and flowers. In majority of cases, the herbal drugs were prepared in the form of juice, decoction, paste and powder. Some of the important drug preparations are, the whole plant of Achyranthes aspera L. is burnt, 3 gm of ash is mixed in 200 ml of water and kept for whole night. In the morning, it is filtered, mixed with 1 gm of ginger powder and given orally daily morning for 4 to 5 days for the treatment of indigestion, Stomach pain and Piles (Husain Sab, 82 yrs old, Halekote village of Siruguppa Taluk). According to Morigeri Chandrappa (68 yrs old) from Gaddikere village of Hagaribommanahalli Taluk, 10 gm fruit pulp of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. is mixed with 10 gm of jaggery and given 3 times a day for 3 days for An another drug preparation,100 ml of whole plant extract of Cynodon dactylon (L.) mixed with 10 gm of honey and 10 gm of sugar and given orally daily once for 4 to 5 days for the treatment of all types of Piles (Savithramma, 86 yrs old, from Bommaghatta village of Sandur Taluk). Discussion The plant species reported in the present study were cross checked with available literature. Some of the plant species mentioned in the present study were recorded earlier. For example, Abrus precatori Revathi P & Parimelazagan us L, Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, Aloe vera (L) N. Burm. were used for indigestion in Gujarat 6, Capparis zeylanica L. used for dysentery in Chhatisgarah 7, Psydium guajava L. and Mangifera indica L. were used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Assam 8 and Zingiber officinale Rosce., Cyperus rotundus L. and Aegle marmelos (L) corr. were used for gastrointestinal disorders in Arunachal Pradesh 9. Many of the plant species listed in Table 1 have not been reported in the available literature. However, some of them were used for the treatment of different ailments of human beings. For instance, Abutilon indicum (L.) sweet. used for skin diseases, Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers. as diuretic, Ficus religiosa L. as cordiotonic and Mangifera indica L. for diabetes in Tamil Nadu 10, Terminalia chebula Retz. is used for respiratory disorders in Andhra Pradesh 11. Calotropis procera R.Br and Cynodon dactylon (L) Pers. were used for jaundice in Pakistan 12. Abrus precatorius L., Aloe vera (L) N. Burm. and Psidium guajava L., were used for respiratory disorders in Cameroon 13. In

3 SIDDALINGA MURTHY & VIDYASAGAR: MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS IN BELLARY DISTRICT, KARNATAKA, INDIA 323 Table 1 Medicinal plants used against gastrointestinal disorders by rural people of Bellary Plant name with voucher number Family Local name Parts and mode of use Abrus precatorius L. HGUG-562 Abutilon indicum (L) sweet. HGUG-823 Acacia ferugiana DC. HGUG-238 Achyranthes aspera L. HGUG-6 Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. HGUG-710 Aloe vera (L) N Burm. HGUG-547 Aristolochia bracteata Lam. HGUG-44 Calotropis procera R.Br. HGUG-799 Capparis zeylanica L. HGUG-123 Cassia italica (Mill.) Lam. HGUG-213 Coccinia indica Wt & Arn. HGUG-808 Cynodon dactylon (L.) pers. HGUG-660 Cyperus rotundus L. HGUG-177 Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, HGUG-78 Euphorbia hirta L. HGUG-186 Feronia elephantum Corr. HGUG-247 Ficus religiosa L. HGUG-587 Fabaceae Malvaceae Mimosaceae Amaranthaceae Rutaceae Liliaceae Aristolochiaceae Asclepiadaceae Capparaceae Ceasalpiniaceae Cucurbitaceae Poaceae Cyperaceae Zingiberaceae Euphorbiaceae Rutaceae Moraceae Biligulaganji Thurubigida Banni Uttarani Bilva patri Lolesara Kattigarike Bili ekka Thottilaballi Nela avare Thonde balli Karike Jakinagadde Elakki Halkudisoppu Belavala Aralimara A few leaves ground with little common salt to make a paste and is given with water twice a day for two days, cures Twenty ml of leaf decoction is given twice a day for 3days, cures About 5gm stem bark powder is taken with buttermilk 2-3 times a day, cures Twenty ml of leaf juice is given with buttermilk twice a day for 3days, controls Fruit pulp with little jaggery and pepper powder is given for indigestion. About 10 gm fresh leaf gel taken daily morning orally for 40 days, cures piles. Two or three young leaves ground with sugar and is given with butter daily once for a week, cures piles. Few tender vegetative buds ground with salt and pepper, made into small tablets. Daily 2 tablets are given for a week, cures Fruits after removing seeds dried, powdered, mixed with little pepper powder and rock salt are taken with water, cures indigestion and constipation. One spoonful leaf powder is taken with warm water daily night before going to bed for constipation and piles until Ripened fruits crushed and are taken with buttermilk for 3-4 days, cures Thirty ml root extract is given with little sugar and cardamom for dysentery until Five gm of rhizome powder is taken with buttermilk daily 3 times a day for 2-3 days, cures Whole fruit is taken with ripen banana daily night for constipation and piles until Two spoonful of fresh plant extract mixed with 1 spoon of ghee and 1 spoon of sugar is given thrice a day for 21 days, cures piles. Stem bark rubbed to get paste which is given orally for piles until Three leaves ground with little jaggery and are taken twice a day for stomach pain until (Contd.)

4 324 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE VOL 12, NO. 2 APRIL 2013 Table 1 Medicinal plants used against gastrointestinal disorders by rural people of Bellary (Contd.) Plant name with voucher number Family Local name Parts and mode of use Leucas aspera (willd.) spreng HGUG-530 Mangifera indica L. HGUG-15 Lamiaceae Anacardiaceae Thumbe Mavinamara Ten ml of leaf extract with little rock salt is given twice a day for stomach pain until One spoon seed powder with butter is taken orally for 15 days, cures all types of piles. Mimosa pudica L. HGUG-235 Mimosaceae Muttidremuni About thirty ml of root decoction is given once a day for 41 days cures piles. Moringa oleifera Lam. HGUG-237 Moringaceae Nuggemara One spoon leaf extract mixed with one spoon honey, and is given with tender coconut water for dysentery until Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. HGUG-489 Fabaceae Nasugunni Few seeds eaten daily morning for all types of digestive disorders until Nerium indicum Mill. HGUG-28 Opuntia dillenii Haw. HGUG-116 Apocynaceae Cactaceae Kanigelu Papasukalli Root paste is applied externally on piles until pain reduced. Ripened fruits crushed, filtered to get juice, boiled with little sugar, kept in a bottle. Two spoonful of the juice is given twice a day for 21 days, cures piles. Psidium gaujava L. HGUG-595 Myrtaceae Japal gida Few leaves ground to get extract and taken with buttermilk twice a day for a week, cure piles. Punica granatum L. HGUG-35 Solanum surattense Burm. HGUG-739 Tagetus erecta L. HGUG-191 Terminalia chebula Retz. HGUG-954 Punicaceae Solanaceae Asteraceae Combretaceae Dalimbe Gulalkayigida Chanduhuvu Alale mara Three to four young twigs eaten with little salt twice a day for a week, cures chronic Little amount of root powder is given with honey twice a day for 3 days, cures chronic One to two spoonful of dried flower powder taken with water every day night for constipation until About ten gm of fruit powder is taken with hot water daily 2 times for dysentery until Trianthema decandra L. HGUG-2 Aizoaceae Biliganjili One spoon root powder is taken with hot water daily night for constipation until Tridax procumbens L. HGUG-80 Asteraceae Teeky soppu Two spoon dried leaf powder is taken with honey 2 to 3 times a day for 3 days, cures Zingiber officinale Rosce. HGUG-59 Zingiberaceae Shunti Two gm of rhizome powder is taken with hot water daily 2 times for indigestion until Karnataka ethnobotanical studies on medicinal plants were conducted in Kodagu 14, Uttar Kannada 15, Chikmagalur 16, South Canara 17, Tumkur 18, Bidar 19 and Bhadravati 20 & Sagar taluk of shimoga ditrict 21. However, in Bellary district no detailed study on ethnobotany of medicinal plants is reported. Hence, the present study represents a contribution to the existing knowledge of folk remedies that are in current practice for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Conclusion The present investigation reports 32 medicinal plant species used for the treatment of gastrointestinal

5 SIDDALINGA MURTHY & VIDYASAGAR: MEDICINAL PLANTS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS IN BELLARY DISTRICT, KARNATAKA, INDIA 325 disorders. The rural people of Bellary district are highly dependent on these medicinal plants as they are easily available and proved to be effective. The reported species include both wild and cultivated ones. The most significant plants used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders by most of the herbal healers in the district are Achyranthes aspera L., Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and Punica granatum L. Hence, these plants can be taken up for further pharmacological and clinical studies useful in the formulation of new drugs for gastrointestinal disorders. Acknowledgment The authors are grateful to the herbal practitioners and common people of Bellary district for sharing their traditional knowledge on medicinal plants. References 1 Ranbirchandra, Mohanty J P, Bhuyan N R, Kar P K & Nath L K, Medicinal plants used against gastrointestinal tract disorders by traditional healers of Sikkim, Himalayas, Indian J Tradit Knowle, 6 (4) (2007) Vidyasagar G M & Prashantkumar P, Traditional herbal remedies for gynecological disorders in women of Bidar district, Karnataka India, Fitoterapia, 78 (2007) Revathi P & Parimelazagan T, Traditional knowledge on medicinal plants by the Irula Tribe of Hasanur Hills, Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India, Ethnobot leaflets, 14 (2010) Seetharam Y N, Kotresh K & Uplaonkar S B, Flora of Gulbarga district, (Gulbarga University, Gulbarga), Gamble J S & Fischer C E C, Flora of Presidency of Madras, Vol I-III. (BSI,Calcutta), Jadeja B A, Odedra N K, Charda J K & Bhatt D C, Plants used in traditional phytotherapy for indigestion in Gujarat, India, J Econ Tax Bot, 32 (suppl) (2008) Jain S P, Mishra N P, Singh J & Binita kumari, Traditional phytotherapy for diarrhea, dysentery and liver disorders in Chhatishgarh state, J Econ Tax Bot, 32 (suppl) (2008) Borali P K, Gogoi P, Phukan A C & Mananta J, Traditional medicine in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in upper Assam, Indian J Tradit knowle, 5 (4) (2006) Kagyung R, Gajurel P R, Rethy P & Singh B, Ethnomedicinal plants used for gastrointestinal diseases by Adi tribes of Dehang-Debang Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, Indian J Tradit knowle, 9 (3) (2010) Venkataswamy R, Mohamad Mubarak H, Doss A, Ravi, T K & Sukumar M, Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants used by Malasar tribals in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu (South India ), Asian J Expl Biol Science, 1 (2) (2010) Reddy K N, Reddy C S & Trimurthulu G, Ethnobotanical Survey on Respiratory Disorders in Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India, Ethnobot Leaflets, 10 (2006) Gul Jan, Mir Ajab khan & Farzana Gul, Ethnomedicinal plants used against jaundice in Dir Kohistan Valleys (NWFP), Pakistan, Ethnobot Leaflets, 13 (2009) Focho D A, Nkeng E A P, Fonge B, Fongod A N, Muh C N, Ndam T W & Afegenui A, Diversity of plants used to treat respiratory diseases in Tubah, northwest region, Cameroon, African J Pharma Pharmacol, 3(11) (2009) Kalyanasundaram Indira, An ethnobotanical study of the Kodavas and other tribes of Kodagu district, Karnataka, Bull Bot Surv India, 40 (1-4) (1998) Harsha V H, Hebbar S S, Sripathi V & Hegade G R. Ethnomedicobotany of Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka, Indian plant treatment of skin diseases, J Ethnopharmacol, 84 (2003) Gopakumar K, Vijayalaxmi B & Yoganarasimhan S N, Ayurveda from Chikmagalur district, J Econ Tax Bot, 15 (1991) Singh R, Survey of medicinal flora of south canara, Indian drugs, 24 (1986) Yoganarasimhan S N, Togunashi V S, Keshavmurthy K R & Govindaiah, Medicinal Botany of Tumkur district in Karnataka, India, J Econ Tax Bot, 15 (1991) Prashantkumar P & Vidyasagar G M., Traditional Knowledge on medicinal plants used for the treatment of skin diseases in Bidar district, Karnataka, Indian J Tradit Knowle, 7 (2) (2008) Parinitha M, Harish G U, Vivek N C, Mahesh T & Shivanna M B, Ethno-botanical wealth of Bhadra wild life sanctuary in Karnataka, Indian J Tradit Knowle, 3 (1) (2004) Rajakumar N & Shivanna M B, Traditional Herbal Medicinal knowledge in Sagar taluk of Shimoga district, Karnataka, India, Indian J Nat Prod Resour, 1 (1) (2010)