Identification and authentication of Agnimantha plant species used in Ayurveda on the basis of anatomical and molecular phylogenetic analysis

Agnimantha plant species have been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for many years and is widely used as an ingredient in many ayurvedic formulations. However, the source for Agnimantha remained controversial as it is difficult to authenticate from various reports. Hence, the present study aims to identify and authenticate its original and substitute sources. As per the literature sources Clerodendrum phlomidis L.f., C. inerme (L.) Gaertn. and Premna serratifolia L. are considered Agnimantha species. The anatomy of the above mentioned species confirmed the presence of patches of up to 20 cells in the sclerenchyma of the root cortex, while in the absence of sclerenchyma of the stem cortex, abundant chambered crystals were also present in the bark of the stem and root in C. phlomidis as compared to C. inerme and P. serratifolia. Phylogenetic analysis using chloroplast (matK, trnH-psbA) and nuclear markers (ITS, rbcl) also indicates the close relation between C. inerme and P. serratifolia and hence places them both in the same clade, though C. phlomidis is closely related to the other species but placed in the adjacent clade. Hence, the study concludes that anatomical as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis reflect close relation between C. inerme and P. serratifolia. while a distant relation with C. phlomidis

Medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite and scorpion sting by the tribesof Shahapur and Jawhar forest division

Many tribal communities living in the forest area deals with emergency cases of snakebite, scorpion sting by using traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. They possess Traditional and authentic information gained from their elders about the antidote for poisonous bites.  The present study was conducted in the tribal pockets of Shahapur and Jawhar forest division of Thane forest circle, Maharashtra. Data was collected by interviews with folk healers and informers by using specially design open and close-ended proforma. Collected data have been verified from the classical text of Ayurveda, books and available articles. This medico-ethno-botanical survey reveals the detail information on 27 plants belonging to 19 families. Total 17 and 10 claims have been reported for the treatment of snakebite and scorpion sting, respectively. Only 1 plant is claimed for veterinary use.  Tribal has been using flower, fruit, pod, root, stem, stem bark, leaf, etc. as an antidote in the form of fresh juice, powder for internal use and paste for local application. They also are administering medicine via Nasya (nasal administration) and Dhumapan (smoke). The observation generated by this article create scientific curiosity regarding further studies to evaluate the efficacy and develop antidote from medicinal plants based on tribal knowledg

Ethnobotanical and dietary uses of Bamboo unveiled by the tribes and local inhabitants of Chittoor district, West Godavari and East Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh

Aim and Objective: To unveil and document the folklore claims and dietary recipes of Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus. Materials and methods: The study was intended to examine the 101 tribal individuals like traditional healers, tribal doctors and elder people in the field trips on their regular utilization of different species of Bamboo. Results: The study explored 13 contemporary folklore claims on B. bambos and D. strictus species solicited from various tribal pockets of Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh and dietary recipes from the tribes of West Godavari  and East Godavari  districts, Andhra Pradesh. Conclusion: With this study, it can be concluded that various parts of Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus are practiced as conventional drugs to treat different ailments by local tribes and conventional healers from Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. Besides this, the young shoots of Bambusa bambos are a fabulous dietary hotspot for several minerals. This recipe of Bamboo shoots has been in permanence among the tribes of West Godavari and East Godavari  districts for the past several generations. Ayurveda has also validated this fact owing to its therapeutic properties. By all its nutritive potential, it can be determined that it is not only good to the taste receptors but also healthy