The present flora/book is a part of recently declared Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve (DATR) presents... more The present flora/book is a part of recently declared Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve (DATR) presents systematic account of total of 930 flowering plants described in 672 pages. Nine new taxa have been described during the floristic survey of ANP including 2 newly proposed in the present flora. This book is beautifully illustrated with 6 colour maps and about 990 colour photographs well supported with detailed descriptions. More over documentation of medicinal and economic usage of most of the plant species of the study area and observations on plant-animal interactions are also dealt in detail. Besides floristic analysis of flowering plants, checklists and photographs of different faunal forms like Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Frogs, Butterflies, etc. are provided. Checklists and photographs of lower groups such as Lichens and Wild edible mushrooms, Wood rotting fungi are also given. This Flora will be useful to the persons interested in flowering plants of Western Ghats in general and Anshi National Park in particular.
Bats are crucial for proper functioning of an ecosystem. They provide various important services ... more Bats are crucial for proper functioning of an ecosystem. They provide various important services to ecosystem and environment. While, bats are well-known carrier of pathogenic viruses, their possible role as a potential carrier of pathogenic bacteria is under-explored. Here, using culture-based approach, employing multiple bacteriological media, over thousand bacteria were cultivated and identified from Rousettus leschenaultii (a frugivorous bat species), the majority of which were from the family Enterobacteriaceae and putative pathogens. Next, pathogenic potential of most frequently cultivated component of microbiome i.e. Escherichia coli was assessed to identify its known pathotypes which revealed the presence of virulent factors in many cultivated E. coli isolates. Applying in-depth bacterial community analysis using high-throughput 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, a high inter-individual variation was observed among the studied guano samples. Interestingly, a higher diversity of bacterial communities was observed in decaying guano representative. The search against human pathogenic bacteria database at 97% identity, a small proportion of sequences were found associated to well-known human pathogens. The present study thus indicates that this bat species may carry potential bacterial pathogens and advice to study the effect of these pathogens on bats itself and the probable mode of transmission to humans and other animals. Bats are among the most diverse organisms of the animal kingdom with some very unusual adaptations like flying and echolocation. Bats feed on nectar, fruits, flowers, leaves, insects, small animals and blood, exhibiting their versatile feeding behavior. They offer invaluable services to the ecosystems; they are important pollinator and seed dispersers, thus help in regeneration of deserted lands and also helps in maintaining forest tree diversity 1,2. Further, insectivorous bats also serve as natural pest control agents clearing several tons of insect pests in a single night and saving millions of dollars otherwise required in agricultural pesticides 3. Consequentially, it helps to reduce the ill-effects of the chemical pest control agents as well. On the contrary, bats are considered as the reservoir of viruses. The source of many viral outbreaks can be traced back to the bats suggesting that the bats can be a vector of various viral diseases 4. The recent outbreaks include SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) 5 , MERS (Middle East respiratory syndromes) 6 and the most recent one Ebola virus outbreak 7. While their role in virus transmission is well-established 8 , bats have also recognized as a potential source of fungal 9,10 and bacterial pathogens 11,12. Previously, it has been reported that tourists and visitors those who often visited the bat harboring caves or the houses having bats colonies, were contracted with the Histoplasma infection 9. Further, it has been indicated that bats blood can harbor Bartonella myotimon-ensis which is considered as an important human pathogen. These pathogen carrying bats can transmit these bacteria via their ectoparasites to other animals, therefore, may cause zoonosis 12. Although the direct encounter of bats and humans is rare, the bat guano which is excreted beneath and nearby roosting sites of bats could be a potential source of zoonosis. Moreover, bats can fly several kilometers while foraging and may excrete as many as 60 times a day due to their huge diet 10 and they are reported to defecate even during the flight 13 hence, may prove unsafe. Previously, many bacterial pathogens have been isolated from apparently healthy bats including from their guano 14. Bacterial isolation and identification studies from bats revealed that the bacterial load is in the range from 10 5 to 10 15 CFUs 15,16 , which suggests they must be harboring a huge number of bacterial species. Therefore, despite
Isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids are the major secondary metabolite constituents in Ocimum genus.... more Isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids are the major secondary metabolite constituents in Ocimum genus. Though enzymes from phenylpropanoid pathway have been characterized from few plants, limited information exists on how they modulate levels of secondary metabolites. Here, we performed phenylpropanoid profiling in different tissues from five Ocimum species, which revealed significant variations in secondary metabolites including eugenol, eugenol methyl ether, estragole and methyl cinnamate levels. Expression analysis of eugenol synthase (EGS) gene showed higher transcript levels especially in young leaves and inflorescence; and were positively correlated with eugenol contents. Additionally, transcript levels of coniferyl alcohol acyl transferase, a key enzyme diverting pool of substrate to phenylpropanoids, were in accordance with their abundance in respective species. In particular, eugenol methyl transferase expression positively correlated with higher levels of eugenol methyl ether i...
Biochemical and biophysical research communications, Jan 22, 2016
The genus Ocimum has a unique blend of diverse secondary metabolites, with major proportion of te... more The genus Ocimum has a unique blend of diverse secondary metabolites, with major proportion of terpenoids including mono- and sesquiterpenes. Although, β-Caryophyllene, bicyclic sesquiterpene, is one of the major terpene found in Ocimum species and known to possess several biological activities, not much is known about its biosynthesis in Ocimum. Here, we describe isolation and characterization of β-caryophyllene synthase gene from Ocimum kilimandscharicum Gürke (OkBCS- GenBank accession no. KP226502). The open reading frame of 1629 bp encoded a protein of 542 amino acids with molecular mass of 63.6 kDa and pI value of 5.66. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed 50-70% similarity with known sesquiterpene synthases from angiosperms. Recombinant OkBCS converted farnesyl diphosphate to β-caryophyllene as a major product (94%) and 6% α-humulene. Expression variation of OkBCS well corroborated with β-caryophyllene levels in different tissues from five Ocimum species. OkBCS transcript ...
Available history manifests contemporary diversity that exists in plant-insect interactions. A ra... more Available history manifests contemporary diversity that exists in plant-insect interactions. A radical thinking is necessary for developing strategies that can co-opt natural insect-plant mutualism, ecology and environmental safety for crop protection since current agricultural practices can reduce species richness and evenness. The global environmental changes, such as increased temperature, CO₂ and ozone levels, biological invasions, land-use change and habitat fragmentation together play a significant role in re-shaping the plant-insect multi-trophic interactions. Diverse natural products need to be studied and explored for their biological functions as insect pest control agents. In order to assure the success of an integrated pest management strategy, human activities need to be harmonized to minimize the global climate changes. Plant-insect interaction is one of the most primitive and co-evolved associations, often influenced by surrounding changes. In this review, we account the persistence and evolution of plant-insect interactions, with particular focus on the effect of climate change and human interference on these interactions. Plants and insects have been maintaining their existence through a mutual service-resource relationship while defending themselves. We provide a comprehensive catalog of various defense strategies employed by the plants and/or insects. Furthermore, several important factors such as accelerated diversification, imbalance in the mutualism, and chemical arms race between plants and insects as indirect consequences of human practices are highlighted. Inappropriate implementation of several modern agricultural practices has resulted in (i) endangered mutualisms, (ii) pest status and resistance in insects and (iii) ecological instability. Moreover, altered environmental conditions eventually triggered the resetting of plant-insect interactions. Hence, multitrophic approaches that can harmonize human activities and minimize their interference in native plant-insect interactions are needed to maintain natural balance between the existence of plants and insects.
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Stingless bee (Trigona sp.) propolis is widely used in t... more Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance
Stingless bee (Trigona sp.) propolis is widely used in the folk medicine of Western Maharashtra, India to treat a variety of ailments. Aim of the study
To determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Indian stingless bee propolis. Materials and methods
Chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) was determined by GC–MS analysis. A range of bacteria including multidrug resistant (MDR) cultures as well as a yeast strain was tested for antimicrobial activity using EEP. MIC, MBC, MFC, Kill curves and post agent effect (PAE) of the EEP were assessed using standard microbiological methods. Results
GC–MS analysis revealed that propolis contained 24 compounds (9 known and 15 newly reported). Many of these were known bioactive compounds, including antimicrobials. The MICs of EEP were in the range of 1.21–9.75 μg/mL while the MBCs/MFC were between 2.43 and 19.5 μg/mL. The time required to achieve 90% (1 log10) reduction in culture growth ranged between 1.06 and 3.53 h at their respective MIC values. PAE for all the cultures was >24 h. Conclusion
Indian stingless bee propolis has a complex nature with 24 chemical compounds. It has a potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The latter finding, in conjunction with other bioactive properties, could provide a scientific basis to its popular use in the Indian folk medicine.
Abstract
The palaeobotanical and palynological data along with physical proxies obtained from Ko... more Abstract
The palaeobotanical and palynological data along with physical proxies obtained from Konkan, western India, have been addressed while ascertaining the vegetation response to monsoon variations since Late Pleistocene (∼53,000 yrs BP). The retrieved plant fossil assemblage, being a sensitive indicator of climate changes, has important implications in palaeoclimate study of the Late Pleistocene as it is the first of its kind in the entire 7500 km long coastline of India. The plant fossil assemblage of the lacustrine sediments forms potential evidence for the prevalence of wet evergreen forest in the Late Pleistocene (∼44,000 yrs BP). This scenario was attributed to prevalence of an extended period of rainfall of both the Southwest (SW) and Northeast (NE) monsoon in Konkan, although the Indian subcontinent was under the influence of active tectonic processes. Numerous fossil plant taxa are now confined to freshwater Myristica swamps of Southeast Asia in general and that of southwestern India in particular suggesting that these areas maintain a similar monsoon trend to that existing prior to 44,000 yrs BP. On the other hand, the NE monsoon did not reappear during the Early Holocene, when the SW monsoon became strong along the Konkan coast. Many of the plant species of the fossil assemblage have been displaced from Konkan as a response to weakening of the monsoons since the Late Pleistocene and towards the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The aridity/reduced rainfall since Late Pleistocene, including the LGM, and limited terrestrial accumulation in the Early Holocene suggests an ecological shift and subsequent replacement of evergreen forest cover and a possible break in sedimentation. Palynological evidence of the Late Holocene (<3000 yrs BP) fluvio-lacustrine sediments reveals that the evergreen forest could not reappear/rejuvenate in Konkan due to such climatic stress, in contrast to southwestern India and Sri Lanka where extended rainfall was still prevalent. The hypothesis of an extended period of monsoonal rains prior to 44,000 yrs BP in the present humid tropical parts of Konkan holds significance, as data on paleosols and vertebrate fossils from the semi-arid/arid parts of western India indicate relatively wet climate and wetland flood plains.
Punekar SA, Malpure NV, Lakshminarasimhan P. 2003 Five new species of Eriocaulon L.(Eriocaulaceae... more Punekar SA, Malpure NV, Lakshminarasimhan P. 2003 Five new species of Eriocaulon L.(Eriocaulaceae) from Western Ghats, India. Rheedea 13. 19-27 En 5 spp. nov. Geog= 6 Illus. Icones, anat and morphology Systematics: ANGIOSPERMAE (ERIOCAULACEAE: ...
Punekar SA, Malpure NV, Lakshminarasimhan P. 2004 Three new species of Eriocaulon (Eriocaulaceae)... more Punekar SA, Malpure NV, Lakshminarasimhan P. 2004 Three new species of Eriocaulon (Eriocaulaceae) from peninsular India. Sida, Contrib. Bot. 21.(2): 625-635 (2004)-illus. En (Sp) Icones, Anatomy and morphology, Keys. Geog= 6 Systematics: ANGIOSPERMAE ( ...
Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature, Jan 1, 2009
... Sachin Punekar acknowledges the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New De... more ... Sachin Punekar acknowledges the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, for providing fellowship support. Literature Cited. Engler, A. 1920. AraceaeAroideae und AreceaePistioideae. 1274. in Engler, A. Das Pflanzenreich IV-23F (Heft 73). ...
Page 1. KEW BULLETIN 59: 483-487 (2004) 483 A new variety of Arisaema (Araceae) from Western Ghat... more Page 1. KEW BULLETIN 59: 483-487 (2004) 483 A new variety of Arisaema (Araceae) from Western Ghats of India R Tetali1, Sachin A. Punekar2 &amp;amp; P. Lakshminarasimhan3 Summary. A new taxon of Arisaema, A. murrayi (J. Graham ) Hook. var. ...
The present flora/book is a part of recently declared Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve (DATR) presents... more The present flora/book is a part of recently declared Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve (DATR) presents systematic account of total of 930 flowering plants described in 672 pages. Nine new taxa have been described during the floristic survey of ANP including 2 newly proposed in the present flora. This book is beautifully illustrated with 6 colour maps and about 990 colour photographs well supported with detailed descriptions. More over documentation of medicinal and economic usage of most of the plant species of the study area and observations on plant-animal interactions are also dealt in detail. Besides floristic analysis of flowering plants, checklists and photographs of different faunal forms like Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Frogs, Butterflies, etc. are provided. Checklists and photographs of lower groups such as Lichens and Wild edible mushrooms, Wood rotting fungi are also given. This Flora will be useful to the persons interested in flowering plants of Western Ghats in general and Anshi National Park in particular.
Bats are crucial for proper functioning of an ecosystem. They provide various important services ... more Bats are crucial for proper functioning of an ecosystem. They provide various important services to ecosystem and environment. While, bats are well-known carrier of pathogenic viruses, their possible role as a potential carrier of pathogenic bacteria is under-explored. Here, using culture-based approach, employing multiple bacteriological media, over thousand bacteria were cultivated and identified from Rousettus leschenaultii (a frugivorous bat species), the majority of which were from the family Enterobacteriaceae and putative pathogens. Next, pathogenic potential of most frequently cultivated component of microbiome i.e. Escherichia coli was assessed to identify its known pathotypes which revealed the presence of virulent factors in many cultivated E. coli isolates. Applying in-depth bacterial community analysis using high-throughput 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, a high inter-individual variation was observed among the studied guano samples. Interestingly, a higher diversity of bacterial communities was observed in decaying guano representative. The search against human pathogenic bacteria database at 97% identity, a small proportion of sequences were found associated to well-known human pathogens. The present study thus indicates that this bat species may carry potential bacterial pathogens and advice to study the effect of these pathogens on bats itself and the probable mode of transmission to humans and other animals. Bats are among the most diverse organisms of the animal kingdom with some very unusual adaptations like flying and echolocation. Bats feed on nectar, fruits, flowers, leaves, insects, small animals and blood, exhibiting their versatile feeding behavior. They offer invaluable services to the ecosystems; they are important pollinator and seed dispersers, thus help in regeneration of deserted lands and also helps in maintaining forest tree diversity 1,2. Further, insectivorous bats also serve as natural pest control agents clearing several tons of insect pests in a single night and saving millions of dollars otherwise required in agricultural pesticides 3. Consequentially, it helps to reduce the ill-effects of the chemical pest control agents as well. On the contrary, bats are considered as the reservoir of viruses. The source of many viral outbreaks can be traced back to the bats suggesting that the bats can be a vector of various viral diseases 4. The recent outbreaks include SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) 5 , MERS (Middle East respiratory syndromes) 6 and the most recent one Ebola virus outbreak 7. While their role in virus transmission is well-established 8 , bats have also recognized as a potential source of fungal 9,10 and bacterial pathogens 11,12. Previously, it has been reported that tourists and visitors those who often visited the bat harboring caves or the houses having bats colonies, were contracted with the Histoplasma infection 9. Further, it has been indicated that bats blood can harbor Bartonella myotimon-ensis which is considered as an important human pathogen. These pathogen carrying bats can transmit these bacteria via their ectoparasites to other animals, therefore, may cause zoonosis 12. Although the direct encounter of bats and humans is rare, the bat guano which is excreted beneath and nearby roosting sites of bats could be a potential source of zoonosis. Moreover, bats can fly several kilometers while foraging and may excrete as many as 60 times a day due to their huge diet 10 and they are reported to defecate even during the flight 13 hence, may prove unsafe. Previously, many bacterial pathogens have been isolated from apparently healthy bats including from their guano 14. Bacterial isolation and identification studies from bats revealed that the bacterial load is in the range from 10 5 to 10 15 CFUs 15,16 , which suggests they must be harboring a huge number of bacterial species. Therefore, despite
Isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids are the major secondary metabolite constituents in Ocimum genus.... more Isoprenoids and phenylpropanoids are the major secondary metabolite constituents in Ocimum genus. Though enzymes from phenylpropanoid pathway have been characterized from few plants, limited information exists on how they modulate levels of secondary metabolites. Here, we performed phenylpropanoid profiling in different tissues from five Ocimum species, which revealed significant variations in secondary metabolites including eugenol, eugenol methyl ether, estragole and methyl cinnamate levels. Expression analysis of eugenol synthase (EGS) gene showed higher transcript levels especially in young leaves and inflorescence; and were positively correlated with eugenol contents. Additionally, transcript levels of coniferyl alcohol acyl transferase, a key enzyme diverting pool of substrate to phenylpropanoids, were in accordance with their abundance in respective species. In particular, eugenol methyl transferase expression positively correlated with higher levels of eugenol methyl ether i...
Biochemical and biophysical research communications, Jan 22, 2016
The genus Ocimum has a unique blend of diverse secondary metabolites, with major proportion of te... more The genus Ocimum has a unique blend of diverse secondary metabolites, with major proportion of terpenoids including mono- and sesquiterpenes. Although, β-Caryophyllene, bicyclic sesquiterpene, is one of the major terpene found in Ocimum species and known to possess several biological activities, not much is known about its biosynthesis in Ocimum. Here, we describe isolation and characterization of β-caryophyllene synthase gene from Ocimum kilimandscharicum Gürke (OkBCS- GenBank accession no. KP226502). The open reading frame of 1629 bp encoded a protein of 542 amino acids with molecular mass of 63.6 kDa and pI value of 5.66. The deduced amino acid sequence revealed 50-70% similarity with known sesquiterpene synthases from angiosperms. Recombinant OkBCS converted farnesyl diphosphate to β-caryophyllene as a major product (94%) and 6% α-humulene. Expression variation of OkBCS well corroborated with β-caryophyllene levels in different tissues from five Ocimum species. OkBCS transcript ...
Available history manifests contemporary diversity that exists in plant-insect interactions. A ra... more Available history manifests contemporary diversity that exists in plant-insect interactions. A radical thinking is necessary for developing strategies that can co-opt natural insect-plant mutualism, ecology and environmental safety for crop protection since current agricultural practices can reduce species richness and evenness. The global environmental changes, such as increased temperature, CO₂ and ozone levels, biological invasions, land-use change and habitat fragmentation together play a significant role in re-shaping the plant-insect multi-trophic interactions. Diverse natural products need to be studied and explored for their biological functions as insect pest control agents. In order to assure the success of an integrated pest management strategy, human activities need to be harmonized to minimize the global climate changes. Plant-insect interaction is one of the most primitive and co-evolved associations, often influenced by surrounding changes. In this review, we account the persistence and evolution of plant-insect interactions, with particular focus on the effect of climate change and human interference on these interactions. Plants and insects have been maintaining their existence through a mutual service-resource relationship while defending themselves. We provide a comprehensive catalog of various defense strategies employed by the plants and/or insects. Furthermore, several important factors such as accelerated diversification, imbalance in the mutualism, and chemical arms race between plants and insects as indirect consequences of human practices are highlighted. Inappropriate implementation of several modern agricultural practices has resulted in (i) endangered mutualisms, (ii) pest status and resistance in insects and (iii) ecological instability. Moreover, altered environmental conditions eventually triggered the resetting of plant-insect interactions. Hence, multitrophic approaches that can harmonize human activities and minimize their interference in native plant-insect interactions are needed to maintain natural balance between the existence of plants and insects.
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Stingless bee (Trigona sp.) propolis is widely used in t... more Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance
Stingless bee (Trigona sp.) propolis is widely used in the folk medicine of Western Maharashtra, India to treat a variety of ailments. Aim of the study
To determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Indian stingless bee propolis. Materials and methods
Chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) was determined by GC–MS analysis. A range of bacteria including multidrug resistant (MDR) cultures as well as a yeast strain was tested for antimicrobial activity using EEP. MIC, MBC, MFC, Kill curves and post agent effect (PAE) of the EEP were assessed using standard microbiological methods. Results
GC–MS analysis revealed that propolis contained 24 compounds (9 known and 15 newly reported). Many of these were known bioactive compounds, including antimicrobials. The MICs of EEP were in the range of 1.21–9.75 μg/mL while the MBCs/MFC were between 2.43 and 19.5 μg/mL. The time required to achieve 90% (1 log10) reduction in culture growth ranged between 1.06 and 3.53 h at their respective MIC values. PAE for all the cultures was >24 h. Conclusion
Indian stingless bee propolis has a complex nature with 24 chemical compounds. It has a potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The latter finding, in conjunction with other bioactive properties, could provide a scientific basis to its popular use in the Indian folk medicine.
Abstract
The palaeobotanical and palynological data along with physical proxies obtained from Ko... more Abstract
The palaeobotanical and palynological data along with physical proxies obtained from Konkan, western India, have been addressed while ascertaining the vegetation response to monsoon variations since Late Pleistocene (∼53,000 yrs BP). The retrieved plant fossil assemblage, being a sensitive indicator of climate changes, has important implications in palaeoclimate study of the Late Pleistocene as it is the first of its kind in the entire 7500 km long coastline of India. The plant fossil assemblage of the lacustrine sediments forms potential evidence for the prevalence of wet evergreen forest in the Late Pleistocene (∼44,000 yrs BP). This scenario was attributed to prevalence of an extended period of rainfall of both the Southwest (SW) and Northeast (NE) monsoon in Konkan, although the Indian subcontinent was under the influence of active tectonic processes. Numerous fossil plant taxa are now confined to freshwater Myristica swamps of Southeast Asia in general and that of southwestern India in particular suggesting that these areas maintain a similar monsoon trend to that existing prior to 44,000 yrs BP. On the other hand, the NE monsoon did not reappear during the Early Holocene, when the SW monsoon became strong along the Konkan coast. Many of the plant species of the fossil assemblage have been displaced from Konkan as a response to weakening of the monsoons since the Late Pleistocene and towards the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The aridity/reduced rainfall since Late Pleistocene, including the LGM, and limited terrestrial accumulation in the Early Holocene suggests an ecological shift and subsequent replacement of evergreen forest cover and a possible break in sedimentation. Palynological evidence of the Late Holocene (<3000 yrs BP) fluvio-lacustrine sediments reveals that the evergreen forest could not reappear/rejuvenate in Konkan due to such climatic stress, in contrast to southwestern India and Sri Lanka where extended rainfall was still prevalent. The hypothesis of an extended period of monsoonal rains prior to 44,000 yrs BP in the present humid tropical parts of Konkan holds significance, as data on paleosols and vertebrate fossils from the semi-arid/arid parts of western India indicate relatively wet climate and wetland flood plains.
Punekar SA, Malpure NV, Lakshminarasimhan P. 2003 Five new species of Eriocaulon L.(Eriocaulaceae... more Punekar SA, Malpure NV, Lakshminarasimhan P. 2003 Five new species of Eriocaulon L.(Eriocaulaceae) from Western Ghats, India. Rheedea 13. 19-27 En 5 spp. nov. Geog= 6 Illus. Icones, anat and morphology Systematics: ANGIOSPERMAE (ERIOCAULACEAE: ...
Punekar SA, Malpure NV, Lakshminarasimhan P. 2004 Three new species of Eriocaulon (Eriocaulaceae)... more Punekar SA, Malpure NV, Lakshminarasimhan P. 2004 Three new species of Eriocaulon (Eriocaulaceae) from peninsular India. Sida, Contrib. Bot. 21.(2): 625-635 (2004)-illus. En (Sp) Icones, Anatomy and morphology, Keys. Geog= 6 Systematics: ANGIOSPERMAE ( ...
Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature, Jan 1, 2009
... Sachin Punekar acknowledges the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New De... more ... Sachin Punekar acknowledges the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, for providing fellowship support. Literature Cited. Engler, A. 1920. AraceaeAroideae und AreceaePistioideae. 1274. in Engler, A. Das Pflanzenreich IV-23F (Heft 73). ...
Page 1. KEW BULLETIN 59: 483-487 (2004) 483 A new variety of Arisaema (Araceae) from Western Ghat... more Page 1. KEW BULLETIN 59: 483-487 (2004) 483 A new variety of Arisaema (Araceae) from Western Ghats of India R Tetali1, Sachin A. Punekar2 &amp;amp; P. Lakshminarasimhan3 Summary. A new taxon of Arisaema, A. murrayi (J. Graham ) Hook. var. ...
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Ethnopharmacological relevance
Stingless bee (Trigona sp.) propolis is widely used in the folk medicine of Western Maharashtra, India to treat a variety of ailments.
Aim of the study
To determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Indian stingless bee propolis.
Materials and methods
Chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) was determined by GC–MS analysis. A range of bacteria including multidrug resistant (MDR) cultures as well as a yeast strain was tested for antimicrobial activity using EEP. MIC, MBC, MFC, Kill curves and post agent effect (PAE) of the EEP were assessed using standard microbiological methods.
Results
GC–MS analysis revealed that propolis contained 24 compounds (9 known and 15 newly reported). Many of these were known bioactive compounds, including antimicrobials. The MICs of EEP were in the range of 1.21–9.75 μg/mL while the MBCs/MFC were between 2.43 and 19.5 μg/mL. The time required to achieve 90% (1 log10) reduction in culture growth ranged between 1.06 and 3.53 h at their respective MIC values. PAE for all the cultures was >24 h.
Conclusion
Indian stingless bee propolis has a complex nature with 24 chemical compounds. It has a potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The latter finding, in conjunction with other bioactive properties, could provide a scientific basis to its popular use in the Indian folk medicine.
The palaeobotanical and palynological data along with physical proxies obtained from Konkan, western India, have been addressed while ascertaining the vegetation response to monsoon variations since Late Pleistocene (∼53,000 yrs BP). The retrieved plant fossil assemblage, being a sensitive indicator of climate changes, has important implications in palaeoclimate study of the Late Pleistocene as it is the first of its kind in the entire 7500 km long coastline of India. The plant fossil assemblage of the lacustrine sediments forms potential evidence for the prevalence of wet evergreen forest in the Late Pleistocene (∼44,000 yrs BP). This scenario was attributed to prevalence of an extended period of rainfall of both the Southwest (SW) and Northeast (NE) monsoon in Konkan, although the Indian subcontinent was under the influence of active tectonic processes. Numerous fossil plant taxa are now confined to freshwater Myristica swamps of Southeast Asia in general and that of southwestern India in particular suggesting that these areas maintain a similar monsoon trend to that existing prior to 44,000 yrs BP. On the other hand, the NE monsoon did not reappear during the Early Holocene, when the SW monsoon became strong along the Konkan coast. Many of the plant species of the fossil assemblage have been displaced from Konkan as a response to weakening of the monsoons since the Late Pleistocene and towards the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The aridity/reduced rainfall since Late Pleistocene, including the LGM, and limited terrestrial accumulation in the Early Holocene suggests an ecological shift and subsequent replacement of evergreen forest cover and a possible break in sedimentation. Palynological evidence of the Late Holocene (<3000 yrs BP) fluvio-lacustrine sediments reveals that the evergreen forest could not reappear/rejuvenate in Konkan due to such climatic stress, in contrast to southwestern India and Sri Lanka where extended rainfall was still prevalent. The hypothesis of an extended period of monsoonal rains prior to 44,000 yrs BP in the present humid tropical parts of Konkan holds significance, as data on paleosols and vertebrate fossils from the semi-arid/arid parts of western India indicate relatively wet climate and wetland flood plains.
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Stingless bee (Trigona sp.) propolis is widely used in the folk medicine of Western Maharashtra, India to treat a variety of ailments.
Aim of the study
To determine the chemical composition and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Indian stingless bee propolis.
Materials and methods
Chemical composition of the ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) was determined by GC–MS analysis. A range of bacteria including multidrug resistant (MDR) cultures as well as a yeast strain was tested for antimicrobial activity using EEP. MIC, MBC, MFC, Kill curves and post agent effect (PAE) of the EEP were assessed using standard microbiological methods.
Results
GC–MS analysis revealed that propolis contained 24 compounds (9 known and 15 newly reported). Many of these were known bioactive compounds, including antimicrobials. The MICs of EEP were in the range of 1.21–9.75 μg/mL while the MBCs/MFC were between 2.43 and 19.5 μg/mL. The time required to achieve 90% (1 log10) reduction in culture growth ranged between 1.06 and 3.53 h at their respective MIC values. PAE for all the cultures was >24 h.
Conclusion
Indian stingless bee propolis has a complex nature with 24 chemical compounds. It has a potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. The latter finding, in conjunction with other bioactive properties, could provide a scientific basis to its popular use in the Indian folk medicine.
The palaeobotanical and palynological data along with physical proxies obtained from Konkan, western India, have been addressed while ascertaining the vegetation response to monsoon variations since Late Pleistocene (∼53,000 yrs BP). The retrieved plant fossil assemblage, being a sensitive indicator of climate changes, has important implications in palaeoclimate study of the Late Pleistocene as it is the first of its kind in the entire 7500 km long coastline of India. The plant fossil assemblage of the lacustrine sediments forms potential evidence for the prevalence of wet evergreen forest in the Late Pleistocene (∼44,000 yrs BP). This scenario was attributed to prevalence of an extended period of rainfall of both the Southwest (SW) and Northeast (NE) monsoon in Konkan, although the Indian subcontinent was under the influence of active tectonic processes. Numerous fossil plant taxa are now confined to freshwater Myristica swamps of Southeast Asia in general and that of southwestern India in particular suggesting that these areas maintain a similar monsoon trend to that existing prior to 44,000 yrs BP. On the other hand, the NE monsoon did not reappear during the Early Holocene, when the SW monsoon became strong along the Konkan coast. Many of the plant species of the fossil assemblage have been displaced from Konkan as a response to weakening of the monsoons since the Late Pleistocene and towards the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The aridity/reduced rainfall since Late Pleistocene, including the LGM, and limited terrestrial accumulation in the Early Holocene suggests an ecological shift and subsequent replacement of evergreen forest cover and a possible break in sedimentation. Palynological evidence of the Late Holocene (<3000 yrs BP) fluvio-lacustrine sediments reveals that the evergreen forest could not reappear/rejuvenate in Konkan due to such climatic stress, in contrast to southwestern India and Sri Lanka where extended rainfall was still prevalent. The hypothesis of an extended period of monsoonal rains prior to 44,000 yrs BP in the present humid tropical parts of Konkan holds significance, as data on paleosols and vertebrate fossils from the semi-arid/arid parts of western India indicate relatively wet climate and wetland flood plains.