Scape anatomical studies in populations of Urginea indica Kunth. Liliaceae

The current study presents investigations on the scape anatomical characteristics of Urginea indica population, a geophyte growing in India, Africa and Mediterranean regions. For scape anatomical studies transverse sections of inflorescence axis were taken and studied for the first time. The twelve different population studied revealed that outer most epidermis of inflorescence is covered by thick cuticle. Cortex is differentiated into 3 regions outer chlorenchyma, middle collenchyma and inner parenchyma. But the shape and number of rows of cells vary in different populations collected from various localities of Karnataka. Vascular bundles are arranged in 3 rows, 2 rows in few populations and number. of vascular bundles vary. Larger bundles varies from 5-8, medium 8-12 and smaller bundles 5 to 21 in number. Xylem elements are uniseriate and biseriate in few. Some populations show Myelin structures and cell inclusions, based on their ecological habitat. The distinctions among cross sections of scapes are evident and our findings offer a comprehensive study using anatomical traits for delimitation and diagnosing populations of U.indica providing a platform for further taxonomic investigations

Raphides in urginea indica kunth. Liliacea

Micromorphological traits play a significant role both in systematic and functional aspects of plant survival in response to environmental stimuli. Plant structural trait such as raphides play a vital role in protecting plants from herbivore attack, cause discomfort by physical and chemical irritation by dermal contact to soft tissue thus acts as defensive mechanism. These morphological characteristics may have evolved as response to other environmental stimuli. The presence of raphides (Calcium oxalate crystals) in the anther endothecium represents a rare character, reported in the present study which is of systematic significance. In the present study raphides are present in vegetative and reproductive parts of Urginea indica. The mild inflammation and irritation caused when the bulb is rubbed on the skin reveals that it takes part both in mechanical and chemical irritation when they come in contact with tender tissue and protect themselves against herbivore attack. Results indicate that raphide bundle size varies considerably within species. These suggest that, Raphides have some potential to be a useful taxonomic tool. Polarized microscope shows variation in the colouration of raphides

Scape anatomical studies in populations of Urginea indica Kunth. Liliaceae

The current study presents investigations on the scape anatomical characteristics of Urginea indica population, a geophyte growing in India, Africa and Mediterranean regions. For scape anatomical studies transverse sections of inflorescence axis were taken and studied for the first time. The twelve different population studied revealed that outer most epidermis of inflorescence is covered by thick cuticle. Cortex is differentiated into 3 regions outer chlorenchyma, middle collenchyma and inner parenchyma. But the shape and number of rows of cells vary in different populations collected from various localities of Karnataka. Vascular bundles are arranged in 3 rows, 2 rows in few populations and number. of vascular bundles vary. Larger bundles varies from 5-8, medium 8-12 and smaller bundles 5 to 21 in number. Xylem elements are uniseriate and biseriate in few. Some populations show Myelin structures and cell inclusions, based on their ecological habitat. The distinctions among cross sections of scapes are evident and our findings offer a comprehensive study using anatomical traits for delimitation and diagnosing populations of U.indica providing a platform for further taxonomic investigations

EVALUATION OF ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF HYDNOCARPUS LAURIFOLIA IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic activity of different extracts of Hydnocarpus laurifolia seeds in both normal and diabetic rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats weighing about 180-250 g were taken and divided into eleven groups, with six rats in each group. Diabetes was induced by giving streptozotocin (30-50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Rats that showed blood glucose levels >250 mg/dl were selected for the study. Metformin (50 mg/kg) was given as a standard oral hypoglycemic agent. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed in all groups of rats. Results: The petroleum ether and ethylacetate extracts of H. laurifolia seeds at different doses was prepared and administered orally. The blood glucose levels were estimated by glucose-oxidase method. Anti-hyperglycemic activity of the test drugs in diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels (p<0.0001) at 1 hr, 2 hr and 4 hrs respectively when compared to diabetic group. Conclusion: The results suggested that H. laurifolia seed extract may have potent anti-diabetic activity, justifying the use of the drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Hydnocarpus laurifolia, Achariaceae, Oral glucose tolerance test, Anti-hyperglycemic activit