Traditional Tribal Knowledge and Status of Some Rare and Endemic Medicinal Plants of North Cachar Hills District of Assam, Northeast India

An ethnobotanical survey carried out in the district of North Cachar hills, Assam, North East India during the period of February 2006 – November 2006, has revealed 34 species of plants to be threatened in several parts of the country, and in the district itself. More than 6 species of plants are included in the red Data Book of Indian Plants, 5 numbers of species have already been included in the Red Data List of the IUCN. 13 species documented in the present paper have not been reported about its threat status earlier, but are now threatened in the district. These plants are used in various ways such as, medicinal, wild edibles, ornamentals, building materials and other miscellaneous uses in their daily life. Because of the declining population of species like, Taxus baccata, Renanthera inschootiana, Swertia chirata etc., the area warrants conservation in order to preserve them from extinction. The present paper documents on the botanical name, parts used, local name, and also compares the threat status relative to other regions of the country as per IUCN Guidelines

Some Superstitious Botanical Folklore of Different Tribes of North Cachar Hills, Assam (Northeast India)

The district of North Cachar Hills of Assam, one of the most biodiverse regions of the world is endowed with different tribes each with their own traditions, customs and method of healing. Northeast India has been a paradise for ethnobotanical research but the district of N.C.Hills, with its vast ethnobotanical wealth is virtually unexplored. The present study documents for the first time, the superstitious folkloric uses of plants to treat ailments among the different tribes. 16 species of plants has been identified with details on its method of use, disease, parts used, local name and growth forms. The study was conducted through informal interviews after prior informed consent. The study reflects a rich traditional knowledge base of the tribe on ethnomedicine with immense potential for a more detailed study with emphasis on its pharmacological aspects

The Ethnobotanical Study of an Edible Freshwater Red Alga, Lemanea fluviatilis (L.) C.Ag. from Manipur, India

An ethnobotanical study of an edible fresh water red alga Lemanea fluviatilis (L.) C.Ag. was carried out in the Thoubaldistrict of Manipur State, India. The alga locally known as nungsham, due to its hair like growth on stone, grows profusely in the rocky and shallow river beds of the Chakpi and Manipur rivers. In earlier reports, the alga was misidentified as Lemanea australis. Harvested by the women of the Meitei, Kuki and Kuki-Chin-Mizo communites, the sun dried alga is sold in the local market. The dried filaments are eaten with major meals. A total of 23 strategically selected informants have been interviewed through structured questionnaires to obtain indigenous knowledge about the alga and its uses. Detailed morphological and reproductive features are described to reveal the correct taxonomic status of the species. Some ethnopharmacological information is also incorporated

Macrophytes and their ecosystem services from natural ponds in Cachar district, Assam, India

553-560The present study deals with the macrophytes of four natural ponds near Barambaba temple in Cachar district of Assam, North-East India and uses. A total of 45 species of macrophytes belonging to 24 families were recorded. Emergent growth forms were most dominant. Their ecosystem services as medicinal (26%), livestock fodder (22%), vegetables (15%), fish food (10%), decoration (9%), religious (7%), herbal (3%), poultry feed (2%), insect repellent (2%), fencing (2%), fuel (1%) and organic farming (1%) have been recorded. The judicious management of rich diversity of macrophytes and their uses can promote sustainable utilization of aquatic plants in this region

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-GB">Medicinal plants of North Cachar Hills district of Assam used by the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Dimasa</i> tribe</span>

520-527<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: " times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"times="" roman";mso-bidi-font-family:="" mangal;mso-ansi-language:en-gb;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:="" hi"="" lang="EN-GB">A total of 47 plants species have been reported herein to be used in the treatment of diseases like urinary disorder, diarrhoea, malaria, etc. Among the plant types, herbs species were the most frequently used. Ferns and cycad also find usage in their traditional healing system. Notable among the plants documented is the use of a threatened species like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Gloriosa superba as antihelmintics,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> Cycas revoluta for urinary problems, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Elaeagnus caudata for miscarriage, etc. A complete account of species, parts used, mode of preparation and dosage for curing diseases like diarrhoea, malaria, jaundice, diabetes, high blood pressure, snakebite, etc. have been investigated in detail.</span

An “on-water” exploration of CuO nanoparticle catalysed synthesis of 2-aminobenzothiazoles

An “on-water” one-pot process has been engineered for the preparation of 2-aminobenzothiazole from ortho-halo (–F, –Cl, –Br and –I) substituted unsymmetrical thioureas. For ortho –I and –Br substrates the reactions afford 2-aminobenzothiazoles under metal free condition promoted by base. However, the relatively inert ortho –Cl and –F substrates undergo intramolecular arylthiolation only in the presence of CuO nanoparticles yielding 2-aminobenzothiazoles. This methodology provides easy access to aminobenzothiazoles utilising even the ortho –Cl and –F substrates. The catalyst is recyclable several times without loss of substantial activity. Other remarkable features include the wide range of functional group tolerance, absence of chromatographic purification (for ortho –I and –Br substrates) and providing moderate to excellent yield of the products under mild conditions, thus rendering the methodology as a highly eco-friendly alternative to the existing methods

Assessment of the phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity of a bloom forming microalgae Euglena tuba

BACKGROUND: Unstable generation of free radicals in the body are responsible for many degenerative diseases. A bloom forming algae Euglena tuba growing abundantly in the aquatic habitats of Cachar district in the state of Assam in North-East India was analysed for its phytochemical contents, antioxidant activity as well as free radical scavenging potentials. RESULTS: Based on the ability of the extract in ABTS•+ radical cation inhibition and Fe3+ reducing power, the obtained results revealed the prominent antioxidant activity of the algae, with high correlation coefficient of its TEAC values to the respective phenolic and flavonoid contents. The extract had shown its scavenging activity for different free radicals and 41.89 ± 0.41 µg/ml, 5.83 ± 0.07 µg/ml, 278.46 ± 15.02 µg/ml and 223.25 ± 4.19 µg/ml were determined as the IC50 values for hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide and hypochlorous acid respectively, which are lower than that of the corresponding reference standards. The phytochemical analysis also revealed that the phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and carbohydrates are present in adequate amount in the extract which was confirmed by HPLC analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that 70% methanol extract of the algae possesses excellent antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties

An antioxidant extract of tropical lichen, Parmotrema reticulatum, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7.

This report highlights the phytochemical analysis, antioxidant potential and anticancer activity against breast carcinoma of 70% methanolic extract of lichen, Parmotrema reticulatum (PRME). Phytochemical analysis of PRME confirms the presence of various phytoconstituents like alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, and ascorbic acid; among which alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids are found in abundant amount. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of PRME revealed the presence of catechin, purpurin, tannic acid and reserpine. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by nine separate methods. PRME showed excellent hydroxyl and hypochlorous radical scavenging as well as moderate DPPH, superoxide, singlet oxygen, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite scavenging activity. Cytotoxicity of PRME was tested against breast carcinoma (MCF-7), lung carcinoma (A549) and normal lung fibroblast (WI-38) using WST-1 method. PRME was found cytotoxic against MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value 130.03 ± 3.11 µg/ml while negligible cytotoxicity was observed on A549 and WI-38 cells. Further flow cytometric study showed that PRME halted the MCF-7 cells in S and G2/M phases and induces apoptosis in dose as well as time dependent manner. Cell cycle arrest was associated with downregulation of cyclin B1, Cdk-2 and Cdc25C as well as slight decrease in the expression of Cdk-1 and cyclin A1 with subsequent upregulation of p53 and p21. Moreover PRME induced Bax and inhibited Bcl-2 expression, which results in increasing Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and activation of caspase cascade. This ultimately leads to PARP degradation and induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. It can be hypothesised from the current study that the antioxidant and anticancer potential of the PRME may reside in the phytoconstitutents present in it and therefore, PRME may be used as a possible source of natural antioxidant that may be developed to an anticancer agent