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Tinospora cordifolia is an important medicinal plant species known for therapeutic action of starch along with other medicinal ingredients. The starch prepared from the aqueous extract of fresh stems is used in the Indian Systems of Medicines. The plant extract prepared from T. cordifolia is a promising source for the treatment of COVID-19. This investigation explores for the first time, the morphological details of the starch granules and its accumulation pattern along with its variability among the germplasm of T. cordifolia collected from different parts of India. Starch content was 39.80% on dry weight basis and moisture content was about 28.21%. Starch granule recovery based on stem dry weight and starch content ranged from 14.70 to 20.28% and 52.02 to 71.76%, respectively in different starch settling methods. Starch accumulation pattern in the stem was also studied in the species. Even though wide variability in starch granule shapes was observed among the germplasm, majority of the genotypes had starch granules of round or oval shape. Similarly, starch granule size also varied greatly (38.32–88.03 µm) within and among the genotypes. Significantly small sized starch granules (p = 0.05) were present in the genotype, IC 283650 and biggest (p = 0.05) starch granules were present in the genotype, IC 310610. The information generated in the present study will have application in starch industry for the inclusion of T. cordifolia as an alternative source of starch in addition to its use in Traditional Systems of Medicine. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42535-021-00286-y.

Medicinal plants are generally suggested for degraded land or areas having low rain-fall. Andrographis paniculata is an important medicinal plant known for its diterpene lactone i.e. andrographolide. We exposed 26 genotypes of A. paniculata to rain-fed condition during early-season rain-fed (ESRF) and mid-season rain-fed (MSRF) conditions and compared with the control to assess their suitability in semi-arid climate region of Gujarat, India. The study was performed during two consecutive years 2016–2017 in split plot design with rain-fed conditions as main-plot treatment and genotypes as sub-plot treatment in three replications. The gaseous exchange parameters taken at 85∼100 days after transplanting exhibited mean photosynthesis rate was 20.5 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 ranging between 15.9 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 and 24.0 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1. Exceeding 7% decrease in stomatal conductance was recorded compared to the control plants under imposed rain-fed condition. The mean value of transpiration rate was 4.8 mmol H2O m−2 s−1. The mean value of water use efficiency was 4.6. MSRF condition decreased leaf water potential from −0.517 to −1.189 Mpa. The dry herbage decreased by 29.2% due to MSRF condition as compared the control. The andrographolide yield per plant suffered significantly and under ESRF condition it reduced mainly due to reduction in andrographolide content. Reduced andrographolide yield per plant in MSRF condition was mainly due to reduction in herbage yield. Results revealed that ESRF and MSRF condition characterized by erratic rainfall pattern and dry spell is not beneficial for quality production in A. paniculata. Based on the least decrease in andrographolide, yield two genotypes viz., AP 6 and AP 12 identified to be suitable for ESRF condition and two genotypes viz., AP 19 and AP 6 suitable for MSRF condition. Overall, four genotypes, AP 35, AP 39, AP 61 and AP 24 were suitable as the promising genotypes having high andrographolide yield.

Graphical abstract, Highlights • Toxicity was studied for Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides. • LD50 was found to be greater than 2000 mg/kg of body weight. • Petroleum ether extract showed increase in somatomotor activity for short time. • Methanolic and aqueous extract exhibited some change in Haematological parameters., Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides (Family: Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant and is been a part of traditional cuisine. Hence, an acute toxicity study was performed to confirm its safety profile. Female rats (n=5) were randomly divided into 5 groups. One group served as the control and the other groups were been administered with the petroleum ether, chloroform, methanolic and aqueous extract of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides at 2000 mg/kg body weight. Blood was collected at certain intervals to measure the haematological and biochemical parameters. The vital organs were isolated and preserved for histopathological examinations. The result suggested that the LD50 of all the extracts are greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight. There was no significant change in body weight, Behaviour, Renal Function test, Liver function test and Lipid profile. In haematological evaluation, there was an increase in RBC count and haemoglobin production post administration of methanolic and aqueous extract. The study suggested that the LD50 of the plant is greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight of rats in all the extracts.

White rot fungi (WRF) (belonging to the Basidiomycota family) are considered as the most efficient microorganisms to degrade lignin polymer through secretion of lignin-modifying enzymes such as oxidases (laccase) and peroxidases (lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase). Non-specific nature of these LMEs has a wide range of industrial and environmental applications including biodegradation and bioremediation of xenobiotics. Environmental pollution was generally caused by the extensive use of xenobiotics in the ecosystem. Massive studies on bioremediation of pollutants by bacteria and actinomycetes are highly noticed. It was recognized that very fewer research reports have existed on the influence of xenobiotics on the growth of highly environmentally adapted fungi as well as white rot fungi (WRF). Hence, the present book chapter mainly reveals the effect of xenobiotics on growth and secretion or production of LMEs by WRF and their participation in the bioremediation of xenobiotics. This chapter initially revealed the chemical nature of xenobiotics and their toxicity impact on WRF biomass. Furthermore the effect of pesticides such as malathion, lindane, and diuron on white rot fungal (Pleurotus ostreatus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Ganoderma lucidum) growth as well as secretion of ligninolytic enzymes and minimization of xenobiotics including PAHs and dyes by the WRF was clearly explained. This chapter provides information about how to reduce the harmful impact of xenobiotics in the environment by using LMEs and improve the applications of enzymatic technology.

A comprehensive investigation on guggul endosperm development pattern was done by studying fruit set development under bagged condition and checked their ploidy level through flow cytometry. The study was carried out in 59 accessions maintained in the field gene bank of DMAPR. The flowers were bagged to avoid pollen grain and studied the fruit development pattern. It was found that, 48 accessions showed fruit set under bagged condition whereas 11 accessions failed to set the fruits. In these 11 accessions, the flowers were allowed for pollination and developing fruits (30-40 Days After Anthesis [DAA]) were collected and flow cytometric study was carried out to confirm triple fusion of endosperm development if there any. From the study it was observed that these showed 2x: 4x ploidy level, 2x:4x: 8x along with 2x: 3x which confirmed that, this apomictic species retains a low frequency of sexual reproduction. Hence it can be concluded that, both sexual and apomictic pathways are still active in the species which can be used as fixation of heterosis towards crop breeding improvement programme.

Guggul (Commiphora wightii) is a critically endangered medicinal plant distributed in arid and semi-arid agro-climatic zones of Northern-west India. Information on genetic diversity of C. wightii using DNA markers even though reported is limited to Rajasthan and Haryana populations and that too without considering its reproductive behaviour. In the present study, we are reporting for the first time the genetic diversity vis-a-vis its reproductive behaviour by including more number of accessions from Gujarat, which is the only place in India where sexual populations are distributed. We used RAPD and ISSR markers since genome sequence information is lacking in the species. Twenty four RAPD primers and 16 ISSR primers amplified a total of 185 and 128 reproducible DNA fragments, respectively with fragment sizes ranged from 200 to 3000 bp. RAPD analysis showed higher polymorphism (80%) in comparison to ISSR (69%). Jaccard's coefficient of similarity showed that pair-wise genetic similarity coefficients ranged from 46 to 98.3% in RAPD analysis, whereas it ranged from 47.8 to 98.6% in ISSR analysis. The results showed that the trend of genetic variation was not strictly correlated to the geographical locations, but was related to the reproductive behaviour of the populations. The diversity was somewhat low in Rajasthan populations where only apomictic populations are distributed. Populations of maximum genetic diversity along with sexual forms were found distributed in Gujarat populations, especially in Kutchh, Dwarka, Jamnagar and Porbandar populations. Hence the study indicated these areas as the original areas of the species distribution from where it was spread to the other parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Piper betle L. (betelvine) is a dioecious species which is a native of Central and South East Asia and it is cultivated in an area of about 50,000 ha in India. The basic chromosome number of this species is x = 13. Only fragmented work has so far been reported on chromosome numbers and ploidy status. The extremely small size and high number of chromosomes, interclonal variability and very dense cytoplasmic contents make critical analysis difficult. In India, a large number of germplasm has been collected and assembled in All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Betelvine centers by sustained efforts of betelvine workers over a period of two and half decades. Hybridization work was also initiated and a few hybrids have been developed in India. But hybrid depression was noticed in most of the hybrids. Hence a study was undertaken to determine compatible ploidy level of available male and female germplasm using flow cytometry. Cytological studies conducted in a selected male cultivar revealed 2n = 3x = 39 and female cultivar it was 2n = 4x = 52 chromosomes and these cultivars were used as control samples in the flow cytometry analysis. Flow cytometric study showed that all male accessions were grouped within the same ploidy level (triploid) while all females were grouped in another ploidy group (tetraploid). The present study also gave explanation for the observed hybrid depression due to the possibility of aneuploid hybrid formation by the fusion of unbalanced gametes developed from the triploid male parents. Flow cytometry could thus be utilized for the rapid screening and earlier detection of the aneuploids in hybrid seedlings in the species. Separation of sexes by ploidy difference is also a new report in P. betle.

Commiphora wightii (Arnott) Bhandari is an important medicinal plant and is enlisted as Critically Endangered (CR) category in Red Data Book of IUCN. Mostly, the plant is an apomict and existence of obligate apomictic and obligate sexual plants was also reported. However, there is no conclusive study carried out so far for the identification of facultative apomictic plants and its degree of distribution. Therefore, a thorough investigation has been carried out to understand the facultative nature of the plants using controlled pollination experiment followed by histological and flow cytometry analyses. The results of the study confirmed both type of reproduction i.e., sexual as well as apomictic exists among accessions of C. wightii. Under the non-availability of pollen grains, apomictic embryos were visualized after 3-5 days after anthesis (DAA) which were developed from the nucellar tissues at chalazal as well as micropylar end. However; under the availability of pollen grains, the sexual embryo development was observed along with apomictic embryos at the micropylar end and were visible after 10-15 DAA. Moreover, apomictic embryo development does not prevent the sexual embryo development process and hence polyembryony state has been achieved by the plant. Maximum four apomictic embryos along with a sexual embryo were documented per ovule by this investigation. The controlled pollination study also revealed that pollination increased the fruit set percentage and fruit filling over non-pollinated or open-pollinated plants. The flow-cytometric analysis provided evidence of endosperm formation through triple fusion (in zygotic embryo development) as well as autonomous (in apomictic embryo development) in C. wightii, which proved the facultative apomictic nature of the plant. The facultative apomictic plant with polyembryonic properties can be used as best suitable material for the identifications and mapping of responsible genes for the said traits and for the fixation of heterosis.

Commiphora agallocha, C. caudata, C. stocksiana and C. wightii are the four Commiphora species reported from India of which C. wightii has been extensively used in Ayurveda for its excellent medicinal values. Destructive utilization of these species needs to be checked by means of efficient conservation efforts. The present study is an attempt to species discrimination of Commiphora using analysis of molecular markers. Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPD) and Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) markers were used for the study considering the fact that no or very little genomic information is available in the genus. One hundred and twenty RAPD and 25 ISSR primers were screened initially from which 25 RAPD and 18 ISSR primers were used for final analysis. RAPD primers amplified 264 fragments from which 18 were monomorphic, 109 were polymorphic and 137 were unique, whereas 18 ISSR markers amplified 132 loci out of which 37 loci were polymorphic, 11 were monomorphic and 84 were unique. The cluster analysis indicated that C. agallocha was genetically distant from the other three species i.e., C. wightii, C. stocksiana and C. caudata. Both RAPD and ISSR markers were able to generate 62 and 42 species specific markers, respectively. The specific molecular markers identified can be converted to Sequence Characterised Amplified Regions which would be helpful for molecular taxonomic study. This investigation would also be helpful to develop an insight into the genetic relationship of the limited number of Commiphora species distributed in India.

Cymbopogon is an important genus of family Poaceae, cultivated mainly for its essential oils which possess high medicinal and economical value. Several cultivars of Cymbopogon species are available for commercial cultivation in India and identification of these cultivars was conceded by means of morphological markers and essential oil constitution. Since these parameters are highly influenced by environmental factors, in most of the cases, it is difficult to identify Cymbopogon cultivars. In the present study, Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were employed to discriminate nine leading varieties of Cymbopogon since prior genomic information is lacking or very little in the genus. Ninety RAPD and 70 ISSR primers were used which generated 63 and 69 % polymorphic amplicons, respectively. Similarity in the pattern of UPGMA-derived dendrogram of RAPD and ISSR analysis revealed the reliability of the markers chosen for the study. Varietal/cultivar-specific markers generated from the study could be utilised for varietal/cultivar authentication, thus monitoring the quality of the essential oil production in Cymbopogon. These markers can also be utilised for the IPR protection of the cultivars. Moreover, the study provides molecular marker tool kit in both random and simple sequence repeats for diverse molecular research in the same or related genera.

Antiobesity and antidiabetic exercises of the concentrates of Syzygium cerasoideum were examined by considering the in-vivo impacts of HFD actuated heftiness in C57BL/6 mice and OGTT in Wistar rodents. The counter stoutness and against diabetic impacts of MESC and CESC on HFD incited heftiness in mice were explored for about a month. The oral glucose resilience test has frequently been utilized to assess evident insulin discharge and insulin opposition in different clinical settings. In the present examination, the oral glucose resilience test demonstrates a critical decrease in blood glucose levels of MESC 400mg/kg at 30min contrasted and typical control. The MESC and CESC extracts at various portions assessed against HFD-prompted diabetes/antiobesity in C57BL/6 mice, the results have exhibited that MESC 200 and 400mg/kg have antidiabetic property. The high-fat eating regimen nourished C57BL/6 mice demonstrated critical decrease of body loads on day 21 and 28, glucose and triglyceride levels toward the part of the bargain were factually noteworthy, *p˂0.05 when contrasted and the control, *p˂0.05 when contrasted and the HFD, shows antidiabetic and antiobesity action of the two concentrates. The MESC (200 and 400mg/kg) treatment lightened all these metabolic changes like body weight, blood glucose and hyperlipidemia that happened due to HFD.

Ziziphus rugosa Lam. belongs to the family Rhamnaceae, commonly it is called as Suran in Hindi, Chunu koli in Urdu and Badara in Sanskrit and in Kannada is called as Belamarluhannu. The bark is rich in phytoconstituents like alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, terpenoids, phytosterols, flavanoids and tannins. Ethonolic extract of Ziziphus rugosa Lam. stem bark was evaluated for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and antiulcer activity using two models, ethanol induced gastric ulcer model and indomethacin induced gastric ulcer model in rats, treated with doses of 100mg/kg of body weight and 200mg/kg of body weight. Evaluation was done on both models comparing with reference standard ranitidine (50mg/Kg/ p. o.). The extract has shown radical scavenging effect of maximum 55.84% and 81.69% in DPPH and ABTS assays respectively. The present study provides a strong evidence of antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract against gastric lesions. The antiulcer activity is recognized by a reduction in acid secretory parameters (i.e. total and free acid), gastric volume, gastric ulcer index and percentage protection.

The low cost activated carbon from Acacia Concinna was processed by treating with 2% HCl and 2% NaOH. The treated Acacia Concinna (Shikakai powder) was then roasted to get activated carbon. The influence of parameters like pH, concentration, dose and contact time were studied on adsorption of activated carbon for Congo red, Rhodamine-B, Crysoidine, Bismark brown and Titan yellow. The adsorption capacity of activated carbon was found to be 97, 98, 95, 98 and 96% respectively at pH 2 and contact time 24-48 hrs for all the dyes. The effect of concentration indicated that, as concentration increases adsorption decreases, hence increase in dose amount increases the adsorption. The data obtained through batch adsorption study was applied for Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich(D-R) isotherms. The curve was linear for all the three isotherms and correlation coefficient (R 2 ) was 0.92, 0.970 and 0.977 respectively indicating that the developed model was favourable.

Haploids and doubled haploids are invaluable for basic genetic studies and in crop improvement. A novel method of haploid induction through genetic engineering of the Centromere Histone Protein gene, CENH3, has been demonstrated in Arabidopsis. The present study was undertaken to develop haploid inducer (HI) lines of Brassica juncea based on the principles elaborated in Arabidopsis. B. juncea was found to carry three copies of CENH3 which generated five different transcripts, of which three transcripts resulted from alternative splicing. Unlike Arabidopsis thaliana where native CENH3 gene was knocked out for constructing HI lines, we used RNAi approach to knockdown the native CENH3 genes. Further, to rescue CENH3 silenced cells, a GFP-CENH3-tailswap construct having N terminal GFP fused to H3.3 tail sequences and synthetic CENH3 histone fold domain sequences was devised. A total 38 transgenic B. juncea plants were regenerated following co-transformation with both silencing and rescue cassettes and transgenics carrying either or both the constructs were obtained. Transgenic status was confirmed through PCR, Southern and qRT-PCR analyses. Co-transformed lines were crossed to untransformed B. juncea or a line expressing only GFP-tailswap. FACS and cytological analyses of progenies revealed partial or complete elimination of B. juncea chromosomes thereby giving rise to aneuploids and haploid. This is the first report in a polyploidy crop demonstrating that CENH3 engineering could be used to develop HI lines.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers were used to compare genetic diversity of 17 accessions of Clitoria ternatea (Fabaceae) populations, collected from nine different states of India. The populations included three different flower colours viz., blue, white and white with blue tinge. Twenty-three RAPD primers and eighteen ISSR primers amplified a total of 137 and 105 reproducible DNA fragments, respectively with fragment sizes ranged from 150 to 3,000 bp. ISSR showed higher polymorphism (29.52 %) in comparison to RAPD (27.73 %). In RAPD analysis, maximum polymorphic information content value (0.66) was observed in primer OPC 10 but in ISSR study, it was (0.55) in primer UBC 889. Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity showed that pair-wise genetic similarity coefficients ranged between 81 and 97 % in RAPD analysis, whereas 80 and 98 % in ISSR analysis, which were in close range to each other. Similarly, clustering pattern showed same trend in both the markers analysis which also revealed that all the accessions were grouped according to their geographical locations rather than on the basis of different flower colours. Mental Z test indicated highly significant co-relation between geographical distance and genetic distance among the populations (r = 0.8321, P

Background: Free radical stress leads to tissue injury and progression of disease conditions such as arthritis, hemorrhagic shock, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hepatic injury, aging and ischemia, reperfusion injury of many tissues, gastritis, tumor promotion, neurodegenerative diseases, and carcinogenesis. Safer antioxidants suitable for long term use are needed to prevent or stop the progression of free radical mediated disorders. Viscum articulatum is traditionally used for various oxidative stress induced disorders including liver disorders. Aims: The present study investigated antioxidant activities of the methanolic extract of Viscum articulatum in in vivo and in vitro models to provide scientific basis for the traditional usage of this plant. Materials and Methods: The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by determining the ability of the extract to scavenge 2, 2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, 2, 2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) which were assessed using spectroscopic methods. Results: The extract showed promising dose dependant free radical scavenging property in all the methods used. The extract effectively increased the superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and decreased lipid peroxidation in the treated groups indicating in vivo antioxidant activity. The extract also effectively decreased the serum levels of SGOT, SGPT, SALP, and total protein levels compared to toxicant control rats. Conclusion: The results obtained from this study indicate that Viscum articulatum is a potential source of antioxidant which would help in preventing many free radical mediated diseases.

Guggul [Commiphora wightii (Arnot) Bhandari], a polygamous woody tree valued for its medicinal oleoresin gum rich in guggulsterone, is reported to reproduce via sporophytic apomixis. Details about its natural diversity, and mode and extent of sexual reproduction are, however, scanty. Therefore, a comprehensive investigation of guggul reproduction was made employing histology, controlled pollination, flow cytometry and RAPD analyses of progeny to assess the occurrence and extent of sexual reproduction. We report the discovery of obligate sexual female plants of guggul through these studies. Also, we document a unique pollen–pistil incompatibility that prevents all but one pollen tube growth into the style to effect fertilization. Consequently, obligate sexual female plants produced single-seeded fruit although each flower contains four ovules. In apomictic plants bearing more than one seed per fruit, at most only one seed was of sexual origin. Further, flow cytometric analysis conclusively demonstrated that endosperm development occurs either autonomously or following triple fusion. Autonomous endosperm development was invariably associated with endoreduplication, a unique feature of apomixis in guggul. Despite predominance of apomixis, a low frequency of sexual reproduction was found to persist in apomictic plants yielding new genetic variation. RAPD analysis clearly distinguished accessions and was useful in identifying sexual progenies. The implications of the novel pollen–pistil interaction on establishment and spread of apomixis in guggul are discussed. The study has not only revealed novel features of guggul reproduction but also opened new opportunities for molecular genetic analysis of sporophytic apomixis and breeding improvement of guggul.

CYMBOPOGON: is an important member of grass family Poaceae, cultivated for essential oils which have greater medicinal and industrial value. Taxonomic identification of Cymbopogon species is determined mainly by morphological markers, odour of essential oils and concentration of bioactive compounds present in the oil matrices which are highly influenced by environment. Authenticated molecular marker based taxonomical identification is also lacking in the genus; hence effort was made to evaluate potential DNA barcode loci in six commercially important Cymbopogon species for their individual discrimination and authentication at the species level. Four widely used DNA barcoding regions viz., ITS 1 & ITS 2 spacers, matK, psbA-trnH and rbcL were taken for the study. Gene sequences of the same or related genera of the concerned loci were mined from NCBI domain and primers were designed and validated for barcode loci amplification. Out of the four loci studied, sequences from matK and ITS spacer loci revealed 0.46% and 5.64% nucleotide sequence diversity, respectively whereas the other two loci i.e., psbA-trnH and rbcL showed 100% sequence homology. The newly developed primers can be used for barcode loci amplification in the genus Cymbopogon. The identified Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms from the studied sequences may be used as barcodes for the six Cymbopogon species. The information generated can also be utilized for barcode development of the genus by including more number of Cymbopgon species in future.

The present investigation was conducted to establish pharmacognostical profile for the leaves and flowers of Michelia champaca L. (Magnoliaceae) in order to establish its complete profile to aid in its identification and avoid confusion in taxonomic level for different species of the same genus. The study included macroscopical, organoleptical, microscopical and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the leaves and flowers. The study of the organoleptical evaluation revealed the presence of colour, odour and texture. The microscopic analysis showed thedifferences in cell structures, arrangement and shape of leaves and flowers. The physical characters of various solvent extracts showed the presence of colour, odour and consistency of the powdered leaves and flowers. Finally, the preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed for the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, carbohydrates, amino acid, flavonoids and sterols in both leaves and flowers. The present findings may be used to establish the authenticity of leaves and flowers of Michelia champaca L. for their proper identification and standardization in order to collect raw plants for the preparation of herbal drugs.

The amylase producing fungi were isolated from spoiled fruits, vegetables and soil, in and around Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The isolates were identified and five fungal species were screened. The best amylase producer among them, Aspergillus sp was selected for enzyme production by both sub merged fermentation using mineral salt medium (MSM) and solid state fermentations using wheat bran as a solid substrate. The various parameters influencing solid state fermentation were optimized. The most important factors are such as pH, incubation temperature, incubation period, carbon sources, nitrogen sources and moisture content. The maximum amount of enzyme production was obtained when solid state fermentation was carried out with soluble starch as carbon source and beef extract (1% each) as nitrogen source, optimum conditions of pH 7.0, an incubation temperature of 25 (±2) °C, incubation time 96 h and 62% moisture content.

Article history: Objective: To identify the knowledgeable Paliyar and Muthuvar traditional healers in Theni District of Tamil Nadu, Southern India and to explore their indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge. Methods: With the help of standardized questionnaires, 12 informants were interviewed on the medicinal use of the local flora in various tribal villages of Theni District, Tamil Nadu during August 2008 to July 2009. Results: A total of 86 plant species belonging to 75 genera and 45 families were reported with ethnomedicinal uses. In terms of the number of medicinal plant species, Acanthaceae (6 genera and 7 species, 8% of total collected plants) and Cucurbitaceae (5 species) are dominant families. Among the different plant parts used for the preparation of medicine, the leaves were most frequently used for the treatment of diseases. Conclusions: The use of plants among the Paliyars and Muthuvars reflects their interest in ethnomedicine and further investigation on these species may lead to the discovery of novel bioactive molecules.

This study was performed to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal potency of Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standley, commonly known as bottle gourd belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Petroleum Ether, Chloroform, Methanol, Absolute alcohol and Water showed a majority of the compound including Steroids, Alkaloids, Tannins, Flavonoids, Lactones and Carbohydrates. All the five extracts were prepared by using soxhlet apparatus and the extracts showed moderate to potent antimicrobial activity against the bacterial strains: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and antifungal strains: such as Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus oryzae and Trichoderma harzianum.

The Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to amplify DNA segments, with the objective of finding markers linked to sex determination in male and female plants of Piper betle L. Two bulks of DNA were made drawing one each from male and female, by pooling an equal volume of DNA samples from each group of individual contributing to the bulk analysis. Fifty different random decamer primers were screened with the two bulks to identify markers associated with sex expression of which only four primers were found to be associated with sex expression. These four primers were then tested with individual plant DNA samples where sex-associated RAPD markers were identified. A ~1,400 and ~850 bp fragment from the primer OPA04 and OPN 02 respectively was found to be present in all the male individuals and absent in all the female plants. In another primer, a ~980 bp amplification product from the primer OPC 06 was present only in the female individuals. A common primer OPA 08 showed both male and female specific markers of 650 and 1,200 bp respectively. Thus, the three male- specific RAPD markers OPA041400, OPA08650 and OPN02850 and two female-specific markers OPA081200 and OPC06980 can reliably differentiate the male and female plants of P. betle L. Ploidy comparison also showed the differences in male and female plants.

Conservation of identified germplasm is an important component for efficient and effective management of plant genetic resources. Since Chlorophytum species are important medicinal plants, studies were carried out for identification and establish genetic relationships in three species of Chlorophytum and two high yielding genotypes of Chlorophtum borivilianum using RAPD markers. Out of one hundred primers tested, 47 decamers amplified a total of 454 distinct bands ranging from 0.25–3.0 kbp to identify and to evaluate genetic relationships between and among three species of Chlorophytum and two genotypes of Chlorophtum borivilianum. The cluster analysis indicated that three species of Chlorophytum and two genotypes (NRCCB-1 and NRCCB-2) of C. borivilianum formed two major clusters. The first major cluster constituted C. arundinaceum and C. tuberosum, and the second major cluster composed of two subclusters; the first subcluster represented NRCB-1 and NRCB-2 where as the second subcluster represented C. borivilianum. Thus, the RAPD markers have the potential for identification and characterization of genetic relatedness among the species and genotypes. C. borivilianum along with two genotypes also showed similar banding patterns which could be chosen as candidate markers for differentiating the other two species such as C. arundinaceum and C. tuberosum. This would helpful for breeding programmes and provides an important input in conservation biology.

Decamer RAPD primers were tested on dioeceious and hermaphrodite plants of Commiphora wightii to identify sex-specific molecular markers. Sixty different random decamer primers were screened out of which only three primers were found to be associated with sex expression. A ~1,280-bp fragment from the primer OPN06 was found to be present in all the female individuals. Another primer OPN 16 produced a unique ~400-bp amplification product in only hermaphrodite individuals. The third marker, OPA20 amplified a ~1,140-bp fragment from female and hermaphrodite DNAs, but failed to do so from the male plant DNAs.

Chlorophytum borivilianum is an important medicinal plant known as ‘Safed musli’, used in many Ayurvedic vital tonics and aphrodisiac formulations. The species was first described from India in 1954 and reached rare status in nature due to overexploitation. Owing to its increased demand, the species has attracted the attention of farmers as well as researchers in several institutions. The present paper deals with various research aspects such as conservation biology, cytology, chemistry, plant genetic resources, micropropagation, crop management, etc. conducted on the crop for the last two decades in India. The species is diploid 2n=4x=28 and is mainly vegetatively propagated. Seeds remain dormant for nearly 10 months and also suffer from poor germination. Fleshy roots of the species contain saponins having therapeutic value. Germplasm collections made from different states in India show the occurrence of wide genetic variability in terms of plant type, maturity period, growth and yield characters, and size and shape of fleshy roots. Although the species is cross-pollinated in nature, self-pollination is also feasible artificially. One high-yielding cultivar and two high-yielding morphotypes have been recently identified. A micropropagation protocol using different explants has been standardized and agrotechnology for cultivation developed. Successful use of synthetic seed has also been reported. The article presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in the species with due emphasis on future thrust and possibilities.

Production of pharmacologically important compounds from earthworms is a novel area in modern day medicine termed as vermiceuticals. In the present study effect of coelomic fluids of Polypheretima elongata and Eudrilus eugeniae were indeperndently examined for ome of their possible medical applications. Coelomic fluids from P.elongata and E.eugeniae were extracted by applying heat and cold shock treatments. The coelomic fluids of both the earthworm species showed anti oxidant and anti coagulant activities at different levels. Anti Coagulation assay was performed to the coelomic fluids of the earthworm species using standard clotting time delay method of Baughmann (1995). Both the species P.elongata and E.eugeniae exhibited the anticoagulant activity with the clotting time delay of maximum 60 and 40 Seconds respectively with the coelomic fluids volume of 200µl. Both the species exhibited antioxidant activity. The presence of Glutathione was confirmed in both the species at a concentration of 0.12 µg/ml and 0.06 µg/ml respectively in P.elongata and E.eugeniae. The above results clearly indicate that coelomic fluid of P.elongata has bioactive molecules in higher levels than E.eugeniae. The salient findings of the study include coelomic fluid of earthworms namely P.elongata and E.eugeniae has protein factors and some of the essential amino acids which have anticoagulant and antioxidant activity. Further research on the principal active components of coelomic fluids of two above mentioned earthworm species leads to development of drug against enhancement of wound healing property, to treat cancer, thrombolytic and hemophilic disorders in humans.

Through the action of opaque-2 modifier genes, the soft, floury endosperm of opaque-2 mutants is converted to a vitreous phenotype. This change in endosperm texture is associated with a twofold to threefold increase in gamma-zein content. To investigate the effect of opaque-2 modifiers on the expression of gamma-zein genes, we analyzed the synthesis and distribution of gamma-zein protein and the level of gamma-zein mRNAs in developing endosperms of the inbreds W64A and W64Ao2, a modified opaque-2 mutant Pool 34 QPM, and their reciprocal F1 hybrids. We also characterized the number and organization of gamma-zein genes in these and related maize genotypes. Our studies show that opaque-2 modifiers are semidominant genes, resulting in a twofold to threefold increase in gamma-zein gene expression in both opaque-2 and normal genetic backgrounds. The increase in gene expression appears to be a consequence of enhanced mRNA transcription or stability rather than gene amplification because gamma-zein genes occur in one or two copies in modified as well as nonmodified genetic backgrounds. Ultrastructural studies showed that gamma-zein occurs in high concentrations in the first few subaleurone cells of nonmodified endosperms, but high concentrations of gamma-zein occur in the subaleurone and central endosperm cells of modified opaque-2 mutants. The increased concentration and distribution of gamma-zein in modified endosperms are highly correlated with the activity of opaque-2 modifier genes.

BetweenThespesia populnea andT. lampas, more attention has been given to review the taxonomic status of the latter. The stigma ofT. lampas resembles with that ofT. populnea, whereas many other characters such as habit, gland on the midrib, non-caducous involucre, calyx teeth and capsule shape differ fromT. populnea. They also differ in their ecological adaptations. The chromosome number is found to be 2n=26 in both of them indicating their relationship. They also possess different chromosome numbers having 2n=28 inT. lampas and 2n=24 inT. populnea. Further, they fall apart from each other in size of the chromosomes. The cytological results and morphological characters, therefore, suggest the removal ofT. lampas fromThespesia.