Background The plants belonging to the genus Embelia, a significant tropical genus with many biol... more Background The plants belonging to the genus Embelia, a significant tropical genus with many biological activities, are benefiting because of their robust medicinal properties. Embelin is one of the principal bioactive molecules responsible for the medicinal properties of the genus Embelia. The quantification of the embelin compound among different species in this genus has not yet been investigated, so still uncertain which species and which part should be accepted. The present study was intended to establish a speedy and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for quantitative study of embelin in various plant parts of Embelia ribes, Embelia tsjeriam-cottam, Embelia basaal, Embelia adnata, and Embelia gardneriana. Result This research confirmed the method as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. We achieved separation on silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates using propanol: butanol: ammonia (7:3:7 v/v/v) as a mobile phase. Densito...
Five growth characters and three yield characters ota sib-mated progeny of C x R (Coffea congensi... more Five growth characters and three yield characters ota sib-mated progeny of C x R (Coffea congensis x Coffea canephora) coffee were studied presently in relation to the parental characters. All the characters showed continuous frequency distribution and some of them showed transgressive variation, indicating their polygenic control. Significant positive correlation of most the agronomic characters has also been revealed in the present study.
Even though about twelve improved cardamom varieties have been released in India, many of the far... more Even though about twelve improved cardamom varieties have been released in India, many of the farmers of the traditional cardamom tracts of the country use farmer selected landraces as planting material and hence the importance of such landraces is not questionable. A study has been carried out to assess the performance of ten elite landraces of cardamom collected from Idukki district of Kerala state of India namely Panikulangara-1, Panikulangara-2, Njallani, Vali green gold, Palakkudi, PNS Vaigai, Vander cardamom, Ela Rani-1, Ela Rani-2 and Ela Rani-3 using ICRI-2, an improved variety released by Indian Cardamom Research Institute as control. Observations on seven growth characters, nine yield characters and four quality characters were made and compared. The present findings indicate the potential of selecting genotypes like Ela Rani- 2, Ela Rani- 3, Palakkudi and Vali green gold for further trials and evaluation protocols so that varieties with significantly superior characters c...
This note illustrates the unique characteristics of ‘kannadipaya’ (specially woven bamboo mirror ... more This note illustrates the unique characteristics of ‘kannadipaya’ (specially woven bamboo mirror mat), the importance of conserving the traditional knowledge and skill inherited by tribal communities of Idukki district, Kerala, India, and the significance of geographical indication tag for this heritage product
Increasing frequency of zoonotic diseases put the human populations in and around the biodiversit... more Increasing frequency of zoonotic diseases put the human populations in and around the biodiversity-rich tropical forests under constant risk of epidemic outbreak However, an integrated strategy for awareness and development and real-time data gathering from among the susceptible localities are wanting We suggest widening the scope of forestry and wildlife extension programmes to address this challenge by adopting the principles of One Health approach in combating zoonosis
Oroxylum indicum, an endangered tree has great importance for its attributed medicinal properties... more Oroxylum indicum, an endangered tree has great importance for its attributed medicinal properties. It is widely used in ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine and has been extensively investigated. The many bioactivities of this species, including anticancer, antiviral, antiinflammatory, and antibacterial properties, have been extensively studied. The main phenolic compounds like baicalein, oroxylin A and chrysin present in this species have shown therapeutic potential in some areas such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory antiviral etc. This paper reviews research on the bioactivities and bioactive phenolic compounds of Oroxylum indicum.
Effect of pre-germination treatments on freshly harvested seeds and on stored seeds of Embelia ri... more Effect of pre-germination treatments on freshly harvested seeds and on stored seeds of Embelia ribes Burm. f., were investigated in this study integrating with Vrikshayurveda methods. Germination tests were done immediately after the pre-treatments for the freshly harvested seeds after decoating and for the seeds stored in low temperature (40C) kept in earthen pot along with the seeds stored in ambient condition after three months of storage. All Seeds including control were subjected to four pre-germination treatments to enhance the germination percentage and maintain its viability. Pre-germination treatments showed significant differences in germination percentage. The highest germination percentage was observed in the seeds soaked in cow dung slurry for the fries (83.33%) and stored (43.33%) compared to control (38.33% and 16.5% respectively). Seeds of E. ribes being recalcitrant in nature poses storage problems. From this study it can be concluded that viability of E. ribes can ...
A simple and efficient method for high frequency direct shoot regeneration from nodal explants of... more A simple and efficient method for high frequency direct shoot regeneration from nodal explants of Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Family ─ Zygophyllaceae), a medicinally important plant is described in this paper. Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with 4.0 mg/l BA was found to be most effective in inducing bud break, growth and also in initiating multiple shoot proliferation at the rate of six to seven micro-shoots per nodal explant after four weeks of culture. A high frequency multiplication rate was established by repeated sub-culturing. Excised shoots were rooted on MS basal medium without any growth regulators and got established after a hardening process with 80% survival. Micropropagated plants grew well under field conditions, attained maturity and flowered. No phenotypical differences were observed among regenerated plants.
Cynometra travancorica Bedd. belonging to family Fabaceae is an endangered tree species endemic t... more Cynometra travancorica Bedd. belonging to family Fabaceae is an endangered tree species endemic to Western Ghats with restricted distribution. There is an urgent need for conservation of this endangered species and the vegetative propagation techniques can play major role in planting stock production. Present study focuses on the standardisation of vegetative propagation protocol of C. travancorica using stem cuttings with different concentrations of three plant growth regulating substances in different season. The anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes of the sprouted cuttings belonging to different growth regulator treatments were also conducted. Softwood, semi hardwood and hardwood cuttings were collected in three seasons (January–April, May–August and September–December) and treated with indole 3 butyric acid, indole 3 acetic acid and naphthalene acetic acid in different concentrations. Rooting response was measured after 45 days in the mist chamber. The adventitious rhizogenesis of C. travancorica stem cuttings was influenced by type of cutting, season of collection, type of growth regulator and its concentration. Semi hardwood cuttings collected during season III treated with 8000 mg l−1 IBA recorded about 84% rooting. Anatomical studies on the sprouted cuttings treated with different growth regulator did not show any significant differences, whereas physiological and biochemical parameters of sprouted cuttings varied. Hence, we recommend this treatment combination for the large scale planting stock production.
Abstract This article illustrates the chemical characterization of phenolic compounds, of the sel... more Abstract This article illustrates the chemical characterization of phenolic compounds, of the selected species of the genus Embelia viz., Embelia ribes, Embelia tsjeriam-cottam, and Embelia basaal using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis with electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative mode. The analysis of samples allowed first-time identification of different phenolic compounds, which consists of various types of flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, organic acids, and their derivatives, benzenoids, coumarins, and stilbens in this genus. Seventy-three different phenolic compounds were identified based on the fragment ions, and over thirty unknown compounds with unique fragmentation patterns were further noted. The results of the study offer that the selected species of the genus Embelia, which is being used in centuries-old traditional medical systems, is a promising source of medicinally valuable compounds like luteolin, sinesetin, rutin, naringenin, astragalin, narcissin, vanillic acid, resveratrol, and so on.
Selection of appropriate genotypes based on characters that show good genetic strength is a very ... more Selection of appropriate genotypes based on characters that show good genetic strength is a very important tool in crop improvement since selection could not be carried out based on all characters. Study of interrelationship and association of characters is essential to identify the variables which show maximum relationship with others. Correlation analysis was carried out presently in the case of 12 morphometric characters in vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) so as to study the relationship between them. The present study revealed varying degrees of interrelationship between the morphometric characters studied. Character association was also studied so as to group the characters based on gene sharing and to identify the lead characters that could be used in further breeding programmes. Plant height showed the highest factor loading followed by leaf breadth, root length, leaves per tiller and fresh root weight showing their higher contribution towards the variability of the population...
A simple and efficient protocol was developed for in vitro microrhizome induction in Costus speci... more A simple and efficient protocol was developed for in vitro microrhizome induction in Costus speciosus. Maximum rhizome formation was observed in full strength MS medium containing 80gl-1 sucrose with an average of 3.2g microrhizome per culture. Rhizome formation did not occur in different strengths of MS media (full, half and quarter) containing 2% sucrose. Effect of nutrients and sucrose on microrhizome production and diosgenin accumulation was analyzed. Maximum diosgenin content was recorded in microrhizomes produced in full strength MS medium containing 6% sucrose and least in quarter strength MS medium containing 8% sucrose.
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 2009
Medicinal plants are sources of important therapeutic aid for healing human diseases. The depleti... more Medicinal plants are sources of important therapeutic aid for healing human diseases. The depletion of the wild resources has prompted conservation, propagation, and enhancement of resources for medicinal plants. Micropropagation offers an alternate method to propagate and improve medicinal plants through selection of high-yield lines and their efficient cloning. This chapter describes cost effective and efficient protocols that have been successfully applied for the micropropagation and large-scale production of quality planting material in two important tuberous medicinal plants viz., Holostemma ada-kodien Schult. and Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq.
Background The plants belonging to the genus Embelia, a significant tropical genus with many biol... more Background The plants belonging to the genus Embelia, a significant tropical genus with many biological activities, are benefiting because of their robust medicinal properties. Embelin is one of the principal bioactive molecules responsible for the medicinal properties of the genus Embelia. The quantification of the embelin compound among different species in this genus has not yet been investigated, so still uncertain which species and which part should be accepted. The present study was intended to establish a speedy and precise high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for quantitative study of embelin in various plant parts of Embelia ribes, Embelia tsjeriam-cottam, Embelia basaal, Embelia adnata, and Embelia gardneriana. Result This research confirmed the method as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. We achieved separation on silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates using propanol: butanol: ammonia (7:3:7 v/v/v) as a mobile phase. Densito...
Five growth characters and three yield characters ota sib-mated progeny of C x R (Coffea congensi... more Five growth characters and three yield characters ota sib-mated progeny of C x R (Coffea congensis x Coffea canephora) coffee were studied presently in relation to the parental characters. All the characters showed continuous frequency distribution and some of them showed transgressive variation, indicating their polygenic control. Significant positive correlation of most the agronomic characters has also been revealed in the present study.
Even though about twelve improved cardamom varieties have been released in India, many of the far... more Even though about twelve improved cardamom varieties have been released in India, many of the farmers of the traditional cardamom tracts of the country use farmer selected landraces as planting material and hence the importance of such landraces is not questionable. A study has been carried out to assess the performance of ten elite landraces of cardamom collected from Idukki district of Kerala state of India namely Panikulangara-1, Panikulangara-2, Njallani, Vali green gold, Palakkudi, PNS Vaigai, Vander cardamom, Ela Rani-1, Ela Rani-2 and Ela Rani-3 using ICRI-2, an improved variety released by Indian Cardamom Research Institute as control. Observations on seven growth characters, nine yield characters and four quality characters were made and compared. The present findings indicate the potential of selecting genotypes like Ela Rani- 2, Ela Rani- 3, Palakkudi and Vali green gold for further trials and evaluation protocols so that varieties with significantly superior characters c...
This note illustrates the unique characteristics of ‘kannadipaya’ (specially woven bamboo mirror ... more This note illustrates the unique characteristics of ‘kannadipaya’ (specially woven bamboo mirror mat), the importance of conserving the traditional knowledge and skill inherited by tribal communities of Idukki district, Kerala, India, and the significance of geographical indication tag for this heritage product
Increasing frequency of zoonotic diseases put the human populations in and around the biodiversit... more Increasing frequency of zoonotic diseases put the human populations in and around the biodiversity-rich tropical forests under constant risk of epidemic outbreak However, an integrated strategy for awareness and development and real-time data gathering from among the susceptible localities are wanting We suggest widening the scope of forestry and wildlife extension programmes to address this challenge by adopting the principles of One Health approach in combating zoonosis
Oroxylum indicum, an endangered tree has great importance for its attributed medicinal properties... more Oroxylum indicum, an endangered tree has great importance for its attributed medicinal properties. It is widely used in ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine and has been extensively investigated. The many bioactivities of this species, including anticancer, antiviral, antiinflammatory, and antibacterial properties, have been extensively studied. The main phenolic compounds like baicalein, oroxylin A and chrysin present in this species have shown therapeutic potential in some areas such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory antiviral etc. This paper reviews research on the bioactivities and bioactive phenolic compounds of Oroxylum indicum.
Effect of pre-germination treatments on freshly harvested seeds and on stored seeds of Embelia ri... more Effect of pre-germination treatments on freshly harvested seeds and on stored seeds of Embelia ribes Burm. f., were investigated in this study integrating with Vrikshayurveda methods. Germination tests were done immediately after the pre-treatments for the freshly harvested seeds after decoating and for the seeds stored in low temperature (40C) kept in earthen pot along with the seeds stored in ambient condition after three months of storage. All Seeds including control were subjected to four pre-germination treatments to enhance the germination percentage and maintain its viability. Pre-germination treatments showed significant differences in germination percentage. The highest germination percentage was observed in the seeds soaked in cow dung slurry for the fries (83.33%) and stored (43.33%) compared to control (38.33% and 16.5% respectively). Seeds of E. ribes being recalcitrant in nature poses storage problems. From this study it can be concluded that viability of E. ribes can ...
A simple and efficient method for high frequency direct shoot regeneration from nodal explants of... more A simple and efficient method for high frequency direct shoot regeneration from nodal explants of Tribulus terrestris Linn. (Family ─ Zygophyllaceae), a medicinally important plant is described in this paper. Woody Plant Medium (WPM) supplemented with 4.0 mg/l BA was found to be most effective in inducing bud break, growth and also in initiating multiple shoot proliferation at the rate of six to seven micro-shoots per nodal explant after four weeks of culture. A high frequency multiplication rate was established by repeated sub-culturing. Excised shoots were rooted on MS basal medium without any growth regulators and got established after a hardening process with 80% survival. Micropropagated plants grew well under field conditions, attained maturity and flowered. No phenotypical differences were observed among regenerated plants.
Cynometra travancorica Bedd. belonging to family Fabaceae is an endangered tree species endemic t... more Cynometra travancorica Bedd. belonging to family Fabaceae is an endangered tree species endemic to Western Ghats with restricted distribution. There is an urgent need for conservation of this endangered species and the vegetative propagation techniques can play major role in planting stock production. Present study focuses on the standardisation of vegetative propagation protocol of C. travancorica using stem cuttings with different concentrations of three plant growth regulating substances in different season. The anatomical, physiological and biochemical changes of the sprouted cuttings belonging to different growth regulator treatments were also conducted. Softwood, semi hardwood and hardwood cuttings were collected in three seasons (January–April, May–August and September–December) and treated with indole 3 butyric acid, indole 3 acetic acid and naphthalene acetic acid in different concentrations. Rooting response was measured after 45 days in the mist chamber. The adventitious rhizogenesis of C. travancorica stem cuttings was influenced by type of cutting, season of collection, type of growth regulator and its concentration. Semi hardwood cuttings collected during season III treated with 8000 mg l−1 IBA recorded about 84% rooting. Anatomical studies on the sprouted cuttings treated with different growth regulator did not show any significant differences, whereas physiological and biochemical parameters of sprouted cuttings varied. Hence, we recommend this treatment combination for the large scale planting stock production.
Abstract This article illustrates the chemical characterization of phenolic compounds, of the sel... more Abstract This article illustrates the chemical characterization of phenolic compounds, of the selected species of the genus Embelia viz., Embelia ribes, Embelia tsjeriam-cottam, and Embelia basaal using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis with electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative mode. The analysis of samples allowed first-time identification of different phenolic compounds, which consists of various types of flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, organic acids, and their derivatives, benzenoids, coumarins, and stilbens in this genus. Seventy-three different phenolic compounds were identified based on the fragment ions, and over thirty unknown compounds with unique fragmentation patterns were further noted. The results of the study offer that the selected species of the genus Embelia, which is being used in centuries-old traditional medical systems, is a promising source of medicinally valuable compounds like luteolin, sinesetin, rutin, naringenin, astragalin, narcissin, vanillic acid, resveratrol, and so on.
Selection of appropriate genotypes based on characters that show good genetic strength is a very ... more Selection of appropriate genotypes based on characters that show good genetic strength is a very important tool in crop improvement since selection could not be carried out based on all characters. Study of interrelationship and association of characters is essential to identify the variables which show maximum relationship with others. Correlation analysis was carried out presently in the case of 12 morphometric characters in vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) so as to study the relationship between them. The present study revealed varying degrees of interrelationship between the morphometric characters studied. Character association was also studied so as to group the characters based on gene sharing and to identify the lead characters that could be used in further breeding programmes. Plant height showed the highest factor loading followed by leaf breadth, root length, leaves per tiller and fresh root weight showing their higher contribution towards the variability of the population...
A simple and efficient protocol was developed for in vitro microrhizome induction in Costus speci... more A simple and efficient protocol was developed for in vitro microrhizome induction in Costus speciosus. Maximum rhizome formation was observed in full strength MS medium containing 80gl-1 sucrose with an average of 3.2g microrhizome per culture. Rhizome formation did not occur in different strengths of MS media (full, half and quarter) containing 2% sucrose. Effect of nutrients and sucrose on microrhizome production and diosgenin accumulation was analyzed. Maximum diosgenin content was recorded in microrhizomes produced in full strength MS medium containing 6% sucrose and least in quarter strength MS medium containing 8% sucrose.
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 2009
Medicinal plants are sources of important therapeutic aid for healing human diseases. The depleti... more Medicinal plants are sources of important therapeutic aid for healing human diseases. The depletion of the wild resources has prompted conservation, propagation, and enhancement of resources for medicinal plants. Micropropagation offers an alternate method to propagate and improve medicinal plants through selection of high-yield lines and their efficient cloning. This chapter describes cost effective and efficient protocols that have been successfully applied for the micropropagation and large-scale production of quality planting material in two important tuberous medicinal plants viz., Holostemma ada-kodien Schult. and Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq.
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