An overview of the genus Anemone L. (Ranunculaceae) in India

The present paper documents the genus Anemone L. (Ranunculaceae) from India. A total of 26 taxa (which includes 24 species, one subspecies and one variety) has been recorded from Indo Himalayas. Western Himalaya is endowed with 9 taxa, Eastern Himalaya with 8 taxa, while 9 are common to both the flanks. Three species are present in Northeast India which are common to IHR and one species has also been reported from Western Ghats. This genus constitutes flowering plants of high altitude and maximum diversity has been observed between 2000–3000 m asl. The genus possesses high medicinal potential and needs urgent assessment of taxonomic and conservation status for its sustainable utilization

Natural Phyto-Active Antihyperglycemic Moieties as Preventive Therapeutics for Diabetes Type II

Diabetes mellitus type II (DM II) is a state characterized by hyperglycemia as fallout of endocrine dysfunction. This condition comes under the category of lifestyle diseases. The impaired insulin secretion, resistance or a combination of both results in the dysregulation of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism. The extremities of this state are associated with other detrimental complications such as cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, hepatopathy, neuropathy etc. DM II has now become a growing epidemic and a major health concern globally. Naturopathy deals with the development of promising therapeutics using herbal origin to ensure minimal or no other side effects with best efficacy of the drug as a promising candidate against a diseased condition. Therefore the review aims to find out a range of medicinal plants that can be used as a natural remedy for the management of DM II, through isolation of active plant moieties (specifically proteins) with antihyperglycemic properties. The active plant metabolites, with antidiabetic potential based on the available pharmacological reports are used as herbal cure against DM II. These isolated active plant moieties, possessing antihyperglycemic properties, might play a significant role in the development of a formulation of plant protein moieties (as a preventive therapeutic) to reduce the prevalence of DM II and to serve the mankind

Assessment of diversity in the genus Berberis L. (Berberidaceae) in Pindari Valley, Uttarakhand

Pindari Valley, a part of the buffer zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, is situated in Uttarakhand and covers an area of about 339.36 km2. The genus Berberis L. comprises of ca 622 taxa distributed worldwide, 55 taxa in India out of which 32 taxa are reported from Uttarakhand. Ongoing studies on the floristic diversity of Pindari Valley in Uttarakhand revealed a total of 12 species of Berberis viz. B. affinis, B. asiatica, B. aristata, B. chitria, B. canadensis, B. floribunda, B. glaucocarpa, B. jaeschkeana, B. kunawurensis, B. lycium, B. pseudumbellata and B. umbellata from the Valley, which represents highest diversity in Uttarakhand. A brief description, updated nomenclature, key to the species, phenology, habitat, distribution, IUCN conservation status and representative photographs are provided in the present communication

Selection of solvent and extraction method for determination of antimicrobial potential of Taxus wallichiana Zucc.

Antimicrobial potential of different plant parts (needle, stem and bark) of Himalayan yew (Taxus wallichiana Zucc.) has been investigated with particular reference to selection of solvents and extraction methods. Two extraction methods (maceration and soxhlet), seven solvents (methanol, ethanol, acetone, chloroform, ethyl  acetate, di chloro methane and Petroleum ether), and 3 groups of microorganisms (bacteria, actinobacteria and fungi) were considered for detection of antimicrobial activity. While qualitative estimations were done using agar well diffusion method, quantitative analysis was based on dilution method. All the plant part showed significant activity against all 3 groups of microorganisms in qualitative bioassays; maximum being in case of needles. Among solvents, ethanolic extract of needles (maceration) showed highest antibacterial activity (15.33 ± 0.25 mm). Growth of actinobacteria was inhibited maximum (22.0±0.26 mm) by the methanolic extracts of needles (maceration). Ethyl acetate extract of needles (soxhlet) showed higher antifungal activity (7.84±0.21 mm). Antibacterial and antifungal activities were higher in maceration and soxhlet methods, respectively. The most affected group among the test microorganisms was bacteria which may be due to their prokaryotic organization. This was also supported by the low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values. Di chloro methane and petroleum ether did not show any antifungal activity. The antimicrobial activity of various plant parts of T. wallichiana varied with respect to the solvent as well as the extraction method. The study will have implications in selection of the use of solvent and the extraction procedure in obtaining the antimicrobial metabolites from various plant parts of T. wallichiana

An overview of the genus Dioscorea L. (Dioscoreaceae) in India

The present paper depicts an overview and elucidated assessment of published data and herbarium records on the diversity, distribution pattern, endemism and threat status of Dioscorea spp. to get availed with extant stature and design strategies for its effective conservation. Dioscorea nested under family Dioscoreceae is a pantropical genus comprising about 682 species. In India, the genus is known to possess 42 taxa (41 species and one variety). Dioscorea L. is highly regarded for its nutritional and medicinal values having a significant role in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Several species of Dioscorea contain various biologically active molecules that show anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fertility effects and thereby known for alleviating medicinal curses

Documentation of ethnomedicinal plants for the treatment of skin diseases from Pangi valley, Western Himalaya

The present study deals with the systematic documentation of medicinal plants utilized by the indigenous inhabitants of Pangi valley to treat various skin problems. A total of 61 plant species belonging to 56 genera and 30 families have been found to be useful in the treatment of wounds (30 sp.), boils (27 sp.), cuts (24 sp.), burns (17 sp.), itching and pimples (05 sp. each), skin eruption, leukoderma and eczema (03 sp. each), pus removal, injuries (02 sp. each), skin pigmentation (01 sp.), etc. A table is provided including their botanical names, families, local names, habitat, altitude range, life form, nativity, threat status, uses, parts used and mode of preparation

Lectotypification of names in the genus Eragrostis Wolf (Poaceae)

In the present work 3 names within the genus Eragrostis viz, Eragrostis coarctata, E. plana and E. superba have been typified. Lectotypification has been performed for E. coarctata and Second-step lectotypification has been done for the names E. plana and E. superba. For lectotypification, rules and recommendations proposed by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN), have been strictly followed. The selection of lectotypes are explained and the images of selected lectotypes are provided

Analytical Investigation of Cymbopogon citratus and Exploiting the Potential of Developed Silver Nanoparticle Against the Dominating Species of Pathogenic Bacteria

Indian biodiversity is a hub for medicinal plants. Extensive research has been carried out to select plants with numerous properties which can be used for human welfare. Present research is about Cymbopogon citratus, an economically valuable medicinal plant. In this study Cymbopogon citratus was elected as a subject plant over the five selected plants (Azadirachta indica, Plumeria obtuse, Sapindus mukorossi, Capsicum annuum and Phyllanthus emblica) on the basis of antibacterial effect against dominating pathogenic species of gram positive (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis) and gram negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli) bacteria. Further, bioactive agents behind antibacterial potential of Cymbopogon citratus was analyzed using analytical method (Phyto-chemical, FTIR, NMR and GC-MS). Due to the broad antimicrobial spectrum, silver nanoparticles have turned into a noteworthy decision for the improvement of new medication. Therefore, this investigation further elaborated in the development of Cymbopogon citratus silver nano-particles (CNPs). Antibacterial potential of CNPs examine in a range of C25–C150 (μg/ml) through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) where, C25 (μg/ml) concentration of CNPs were recorded as the MIC for all bacterial species and C25 (μg/ml) and C50 (μg/ml) noted as the MBC for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, respectively. In agar disk diffusion assay of CNPs, maximum diameter of zone of inhibition was observed for C150 (μg/ml) concentration Bacillus cereus (20.12 ± 0.42), Bacillus licheniformis (22.34 ± 0.4), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35.23 ± 0.46) and Escherichia coli (31.87 ± 0.24). Involvement of bioactive component as a reducing and capping agent can be confirmed through FTIR spectrum of CNPs. Moreover XRD, EDXRF and SEM showed crystalline and cuboidal nature of CNPs with ∼35 nm sizes. Prominently, cytotoxic analysis was conducted to understand the toxic effect of CNPs. This research highlights the potential of CNPs due to the bioactive components present in Cymbopogon citratus extract: Polyphenols (phenol; 1584.56 ± 16.32 mg/L, Flavanoids) and mixture of terpenoids (Citral, Myrcene, Farnesol, β-myrcene and β –Pinene

Typification and taxonomic notes on species of Muhlenbergia Schreb. (Poaceae, Muhlenbergiinae) in India

The present paper deals with typification for two names in the genus Muhlenbergia i.e. M. duthieana and M. himalayensis. Furthermore, taxonomy of all Indian species for the same has been provided along with taxonomic key for correct identification