General account of local plants of medicinal importance: Catharanthus roseus, Aloe, Centella (Brahmi Booti), Chlorophytum (Safed musli), Tylophora indica
1. Periwinkle:-
Botanical Name:- Catharanthus roseus
Family:- Apocynaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Plant is used in cancer and diabetes; root paste is used in septic wounds.
> Root decoction is used in fever.
> Leaves are used in menorrhagia.
> Leaf juice is used in blood dysentery.
> The decoction of leaf is used for babies in gripping pain while the latex is useful in scabies.
2. Aloe:-
Botanical Name:- Aloe vera
Family:- Liliaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Two substances from Aloe vera – a clear gel and its yellow latex – are used to manufacture commercial products.
> Aloe gel typically is used to make topical medications for skin conditions, such as burns, wounds, frostbite, rashes, psoriasis, cold sores, or dry skin.
> Aloe latex is used individually or manufactured as a product with other ingredients to be ingested for relief of constipation.
> Aloe latex may be obtained in a dried form called resin or as "aloe dried juice".
> There is conflicting evidence regarding whether Aloe vera is effective as a treatment for wounds or burns.
> There is some evidence that topical use of aloe products might relieve symptoms of certain skin disorders, such as psoriasis, acne, or rashes, but topical application may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
> Aloe vera gel is used commercially as an ingredient in yogurts, beverages, and some desserts, but at high or prolonged doses, ingesting aloe latex or whole leaf extract can be toxic. Use of topical aloe vera in small amounts is likely to be safe.
3. Brahmi Booti:-
Botanical Name:- Centella asiatica
Family:- Apiaceae or Umbelliferae
Economic Importance:-
> Brahmi / gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is one of the most beloved mental rejuvenatives in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia.
> Best known for its long and impressive history of use for enhancing intellect and mental acuity, it also soothes the nervous system, purifies the blood, and promotes healthy skin and hair.
> Leaf extract is taken orally to cure dysentery and improve memory power.
> It was historically known as “Snow plant” for the reason of its cooling properties. About 4 teaspoonfuls of leaf juice by squeezing about 50 leaves between palms is taken orally in the morning for 2-3 weeks for its alleged cooling property to body and stomach.
> Crushed leaf and root extract is applied to the affected parts to kill germs from wounds.
> Decoction of leaves is also applied to cure leprotic wound.
> Tea of the plants are taken for hypertension, diarrhoea and urinary tract infections.
> The dried herb is used as a detoxicant, diuretic and to lower blood pressure and decrease heart rate.
4. Safed musli:-
Botanical Name:- Chlorophytum borivilianum
Family:- Liliaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Safed Musli is known for its roots and saponins components that are associated with various medicinal properties.
> This plant is used in Indian medicinal system since the 11th century AD. In Ayurveda, Safed Musli is categorized as a 'Vajikaran Rasayan' and used to treat various diseases such as leucorrhea, gonorrhoea, impotence, infertility, diarrhoea and dysentery.
> It is considered a "Divya Aushad" or white gold and used as a health-promoting drug or tonic in the ayurvedic medicinal system.
> Safed Musli is used as an alternative to "Viagra".
> Some reported therapeutic and pharmacological properties of Safed Musli include aphrodisiac, immunomodulatory, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiulcer, adaptogenic, and antimicrobial.
> In folklore culture, this plant is used in the form of 'Laddoos' as a diet for mothers after delivery.
> Due to its high economic value, the Indian Medicinal Board has started promoting this plant's cultivation and production as the demand for this plant has been increased in the national and international markets globally.
> However, the plant needs to be conserved as this plant has been listed as a critically endangered species as per the Red data book of Indian plants. The factors responsible for the species deterioration are irrational cutting, overharvesting, insufficient knowledge and others.
5. Antamool, Damabuti:-
Botanical Name:- Tylophora indica
Family:- Asclepiadaceae
Economic Importance:-
> Antamool is used in treating bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.
> It has diaphoretic and expectorant properties.
> The dried leaves and roots are often used as substitute for Ipecacuanha (Cephalis ipecacuanha).
> Roots and leaves of the plant contain several alkaloids including tylophorine, tylophorinine and tylophrinidine.
> The major alkaloid, tylophorine found in T. indica possesses several properties, such as immunosuppressive, antitumour, antifeedant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiamoebic, diuretic and hepatoprotective activities.
> In addition to this, tylophorine provides positive stimulation to adrenal cortex.
> Biotechnological production of tylophorine was fulfilled by inducing hairy roots mediated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A4 strain). It was followed by its growth in liquid suspension culture that could yield maximum biomass and tylophorine production. This type of liquid suspension culture yielded 9.8 ± 0.21 mgL−1 tylophorine within 4–6 weeks of incubation.
> Maceration technique employed for the extraction of tylophorine was the most viable and efficient protocol.
> Although many reports are available regarding the biotechnological production of tylophorine, its competent and economic production still continues as a problematic issue.