annexure - shodhganga : a reservoir of indian theses...

ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE I

Some traditional folklore medicinal plants of

Kanyakumari District (Tamil Nadu)

J. Econ. Tax Bot Vol. 23 No. 2 (1999)

SOME TRADITIONAL FOLKLORE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF

KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT (TAMIL NADU)

P.J. ROSAKUTrY, A. STELLA ROSLIN & S. IGNACIMUTHU*Department of Botany, Holy Cross College, Nogercoil - 629 004

ABSTRACT

The traditional medicinal uses of 74 plant species belonging to 64 genera and 43families collected through field trips and personal interviews with Vaidyas,naturopaths and local people who use them as home remedies are recorded.

INTRODUCTION

Human beings have always hadrecourse to nature for health and life.Practice of indigenous medicines is one ofthe advancing frontiers of medical science.From time immemorial plants have playeda significant role as curative and protectiveagents; at present there are many valuableand life-saving medicines obtained fromplants. Tribal people have always usedplants for treating a wide spectrum ofailments and for preserving stored grains.

During the recent past someethnobotanical studies from Western Ghatsof Travancore have been made byGananambal (1952); Mukherjee (1953 &1954); Pushpangadan (1984 & 1986) andNagendra Prasad et al. (1996). Literaturereview reveals that there are only a fewrecords on medicinal plants of WesternGhats of Kanyakumari District (NagendraPrasad et al., 1996).

Keeping in view the floristic richnessof this area and the presence of manytraditional healers, an attempts is made toreport a few uses of some commonmedicinal plants of Kanyakumari District.

The present study is a preliminarystep in an ongoing programme forscreening plants for potential antibioticproperties with the goal of isolating usefulactive compounds present in the naturalresources of this area.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

A number of field trips were made inand around the Western Ghats inKanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu,during January 1995 to December 1997 tocollect important plants of traditionalethnobotanical interest for verifying their

* Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai - 600 034

Rosok u tf)', Roslin & Ignacimuthu

potential antimicrobial activity. Themedicinal information of these plants werecollected as suggested by Schultes (1962)and Jam (1963) on the basis of interviewwith Vaidyas, naturopaths and experiencedold people practising local medicines.

The plants were identified with thehelp of Gamble (1915) Mathew (1983-86)and Kirtikar and Basu (1935) and thenconfirmed in the herbarium of BotanicalSurvey of India at Coimbatore. The voucherspecimens are deposited in the herbariumof Botany Department, Holy Cross College,Nagercoil.

The names of the plants are arrangedalphabetically with binomial, family, localTamil name in inverted commas andcollection number followed by the usefulparts and local uses.

ENUMERATION

Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet ssp. indicumMALVACEAE. 'Thutti', 105.The leaf infusion is used as a laxative. The

leaves crushed in castor oil is used to relievepiles trouble.Acalypha mdica L.

EUPHORBIACEAE. 'Kuppaimeni', 93.

The leaves ground with common salt andmixed with curd is applied on sores and scabies.Achyranthes aspera L.

AMARANTHACEAE. 'Nayuruvi', 111.

Decoction of the plant is used as laxativeand as remedy for flatulence. Eating cookedseeds improves appetite.Adhatoda vasica Nees

ACANTHACEAE. 'Adathoda', 69.

The decoction of the leaves and roots alongwith Zingiber officinale Rosc. is a remedy for allsorts of cough. Leaf infusion is used to expelworms.Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.

RUTACEAE. 'Viluam', 136.

The leaves with the seeds of Foeniculumvulgare Mill. are used for the cure of chronicdiarrhoea and dysentery. Root decoction helpsnormal delivery.Aerva lanata (L.) Juss.

AMARANTHACEAE. 'Sirupalai', 127.

The plant is diuretic and is used to dissolvekidney stones.Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f.

LILIACEAE. 'Sottukathalai', 94.

The leaf juice applied externally soothensburns, wounds and cuts. Leaves are used tocheck leucorrhoea and venereal diseases. Leaveswith honey and brandy are taken internally forabout 5-7 days to check cancer in initial stages.Alternanthera sessiis (L.) R. Br. ex DC.

AMARANTHACEAE. 'Ponnankanni', 123.

The leaf is used for the treatment ofjaundice.Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wallich

ex NeesACANTHACEAE. 'Nilavembu', 116.

The plant infusion is given to cure malaria.Anisomeles malabarica (L.) R. Br. ex Sims

LAM IACEAE. 'Periyanankai', 125.

The leaves are used to expel gas fromintestines.Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees

ACANTHACEAE. 'Neermulli', 118.

The Decoction of the leaves is used forinflammations and for congestion of the liver. Itis also diuretic and laxative.Aristolochia bracteolata Lam.

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE. 'Aaduthinnapalai',73.

The plant is used as vermifuge. It is alsoused to rectify menstrual disorders.A. indica L.

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE. 'Karudakodi', 76.The leaf juice is an antidote to snake bite

and scorpion sting. Powdered root is given withhoney for leucoderma.

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Bacopa monnieri (L.) WettsteinSCROPHULARIACEAE 'Brahmi', 122

The plant is a brain tonic.Calotropis gigantea (L.) R. Br.

ASCLEPIADACEAE. 'Erukku', 78.

The latex is applied on thorn-prick to expelthe thorns or foreign bodies. About 3 drops ofleaf latex and 10 drops of honey are mixed andis given to expel worms. The leaf paste is givenas an antidote for snake poisoning and insectbites.Canthium parviflorum Lam.

RUBIACEAE. 'Karai chedi 89.

The leaves are used to reduceinflammation and swelling of the body. Leavesare also used to treat dysentery.Cardiospernium halicacabum L.

SAPINDACEAE. 'Mudakathan Kodi', 128.

The leaf extract reduces body pain.

Leaves coated with castor oil are applied torheumatic joints, swellings and tumour.Administering extract of leaves with Cuminumcyminum L. makes delivery easy.Cassia auriculata L.

CAESALPINIACEAE. 'Avarai', 71.

Leaves reduce obesity. Leaf powdered ormade into a paste is used as hair shampoo.C. obtusa (Roxb.) Wight & Am.

CAESALPINIACEAE. 'Nilavakai', 117.

Dried leaves and pods are used as laxative.Catharanthus roseus (L.) Don

APOCYNACEAE. 'Nithya Kalyani', 115.

The extract of the fresh leaf isanticarcinogenic. Infusion of the leaves is usedin diabetes and diarrhoea. The decoction of theroot is used as a vermifuge.Centella asiatica (L.) Urb.

APIACEAE. 'Vallarai', 120.The plant juice is used to cure intlam-

mations. It is a tonic for improving memory.Cleome viscosa L.

CAPPARIDACEAE. 'Nayikaduku', 112.

The leaf juice is applied to relieve earacheand to cure boils. It is also used as vermifuge.

Seeds and roots are diuretic and purgative.

The leaf paste is applied around the neckto remove fish bone from the throat and onthorn-prick to expel the thorns.Coccinia mdica Wt. & Am.

CUCURBITACEAE. 'Kovai', 96.

The leaf extract mixed with coconut milkand copper sulphate is applied on sores, scabiesand skin diseases. Fruits are used to treatdiabetes.Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels

MENISPERMACEAE. 'Kattukodi', 88.

Leaves stimulate saliva secretion. Rootsare used to treat rheumatism. It lessons bile andburning sensation.Cocos nucifera L.

ARECACEAE. 'Thennai', 107.Root decoction promotes flow of urine. The

tender coconut milk is a diuretic and a tonic.The jelly of the tender coconut is used for sorethroat. The infusion of the flower is good fordiabetes and diseases of the uterus. A paste ismade with very young fruit and black pepperand is applied on the forehead to relieveheadache. Gargling with root decoction relievestoothache.Coleus aromaticus Benth.

LAMIACEAE. 'Omavalli', 80.The leaves are used as vermifuge. The leaf

juice is recommended for treating asthma,cough, bronchitis and abdominal pain. The leafpaste is applied on the forehead to relieveheadache.Commelina benghalensis L.

COMMELINACEAE. 'Kanaualai', 90.

The plant is useful to treat bed sores,breast sores and pimples.Croton bonpiandianus Baillon

Clerodendrum phiomides L.f.VERBENACEAE. 'Taludala', 101.

Leaves are boiled with leaves of Diospyrosand the infusion is applied externally to treatrheumatic trouble.Clitoria ternatea L.

PAPILIONACEAE. 'Kakknam', 91.

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Rosakutty, Roslin & Ignacimuthu

• EUPHORBIACEAE. 'Milakaipoondu', 135.

The leaf infusion is used to cure fever dueto infection of glands.Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.

POACEAE. 'Arukampul', 134.

The paste of the plant mixed with cow's orgoat's milk is given to stop bleeding from piles.Plant paste taken daily in the morning serves asa tonic. It is also a laxative. Decoction of theplant made together with the leaves of Punicagranatum L., is given in menstrual disorders.The paste of the plant is mixed with littleCurcuma longa L. and applied on the affectedpart of the body to cure scabies and other skininfections.Daeniia extensa R. Br.

ASCLEPIADACEAE. 'Veliparuthi', 131.

The plant is an expectorant. Leaf juice isgiven to cure asthma and rheumatism. The barkof root mixed with cow's milk is used as apurgative.Datura mete! L.

SOLANACEAE. 'Vellaiyummathai', 77.

The plant is useful to treat fits. Leaf juicemixed with gingili oil, boiled and cooled is usedto treat discharges from the ear and to checkboils. Tender fruits are made into a paste withsaliva and applied on the infected part on thehead to stimulate fresh hair growth.Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.

ASTERACEAE. 'Karuslankanni', 86.

The plant is used to treat jaundice. It isused in combination with coconut oil as a hairtonic to blacken the hair.Enicostema littorale Blume

GENTIANACEAE. 'Vellarukku', 132.

The plant is used to cure leucorrhoea.Ervatamia coronaria, Stapf

APOCYNACEAE. 'Nandiyauattam', 109.

The flowers are used to treat eyeinfections.Erythrina indica Lam.

PAPILIONACEAE. 'Kalyanamuringai', 84.The leaves and flowers are used by

lactating mothers to increase secretion of milk.

The leaves are used to treat uterine disorders.Euphorbia hirta L.

EUPHORBIACEAE. 'Chitrapala', 65.

The leaves and flowers mixed with milk isgiven to lactating mothers to increase thesecretion of milk. Latex is applied on vitiligo,pimples, corn and warts. It is a vermifuge.Evolvulus alsinoides L.

CONVOLVULACEAE. 'Vishnuki rant hi', 133.

The leaves are made into cigarettes andsmoked in case of chronic bronchitis andasthma.Ficus benghalensis L.

MORACEAE. 'Aalamaram', 70.Bark, buds, tender leaves, fruits and prop

roots are crushed and the decoction is given inthe morning and in the evening to cureleucorrhoea. Decoction of the bark of the stemand root relieves diabetes within 90 days.F. religiosa L.

MORACEAE. 'Arasu', 66.

Dried powdered fruits are taken toincrease vitality in man. Tender leaves aremade into paste and applied on boils.Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Schultes

ASCLEPIADACEAE. 'Sirukurinja', 97.

The leaves are used to treat diabetes.Gynandropsis pentaphylla DC.

CAPPARIADACEAE. 'Thaiva1ai 110.

Plant juice is administered to treat coughand bronchial infections.Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br.

ASCLEPIADACEAE. 'Nannari', 108.

Root decoction relieves inflammation andulcers of the alimentary tract.Hibiscus rosa-smensis L.

MALVACEAE. 'Semparuthi', 100.Milk boiled with 10 shoe flowers, is taken

to cure leucorrhoea and anemia. The flowers areeaten raw to purify blood and to check highblood pressure. Leaf paste is used as a hairshampoo to cure dandruff. Coconut oil boiledwith flowers is used to blacken hair.Indigofera tinctoria L.

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APILIONACEAE. 'Avari', 67.

['he root is an antidote for poisoning. Leafis applied on boils.ium suffruticosurn Ging.JIOLACEAE 'Orilai thamarai 79.

deaf paste mixed with milk is given to cureThOea. Leaf is diuretic.as aspera (Wilid.) Link..AMIACEAE. 'Siruthumbai', 104.

resh juice of the plant is appliedially for the cure of scabies. Flowers areistered in the form of syrup to treatcold and sinositis.

aya koenigii (L.) Spreng.WTACEAE. 'Karuveppilai', 87.

eaves are eaten raw to cure dysentery.on of the roasted leaves is used to stopng. Crushed leaves are applied externallyruises. About 7 tender leaves taken dailymorning purifies blood.urn basilicurn L.AMIACEAE. 'Thirunirtupachilai', 102.he decoction of the leaves relieves mucousions from the bronchial tube. Leaves aresed in the treatment of stomach andnal disorders.iurn SimsAMIACEAE. 'Paithulasi', 85.'eaf paste is applied on sores and scabies.ecoction of the leaves is given to treatand cold. A paste made of leaves and

s along with Acorus calamus L., is used toe.Lctum L.AMIACEAE. 'Thulasi', 103.

he decoction -of the leaves is good forxg common cold, fever and cough. Leafgiven to avoid the after-effect of measles.

landia umbellata L.UBIACEAE. 'Inpura', 75.

decoction of the leaves with the leaves ofa asiatica (L.) Urb. is given to remove theii from the respiratory tract.iia zeylanica (L.) Cay.IALVACEAE. 'Sittamutti', 98.

The plant is used in the treatment ofhernia.Phyllanthus fraternus Webs.

EUPHORBIACEAE. 'Keelanelli', 92.

The whole plant is useful in the treatmentof jaundice and all liver disorders. Chewing theleaves strengthen the teeth.Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites

ANNONACEAE. 'Asoka', 64.

The bark is used to treat uterus relatedailments.Psidium guajava L.

MYRTACEAE. 'Kuyya', 114.

Green tender fruit is groud into a paste,mixed with curd and is given to arrest dysenteryand diarrhoea. Dried rind powder is taken orallyto cure diarrhoea and to expel worms.Sesbania aegyptiaca Poir.

PAPILIONACEAE. 'Sittakathi', 83.

The root is carminative and leaves arepurgative. Fresh leaf juice is given as ananthelmintic. Leaves reduce inflammations.Seeds regularise menstrual flow.S. grandiflora (L.) Poir.

PAPILIONACEAE. 'A kat hi', 63.

The leaf is a tonic and is eaten as greenleafy vegetables. Infusion of the leaves withFoeniculum vulgare Mill. is a good remedy forinfections of mouth and intestines. Leaves areused as a laxative.Sida cordifolia L.

MALVACEAE. 'Arivalmanaippundu', 68.The leaf juice applied on cut wounds stops

bleeding. Leaves ground with the leaves ofAcalypha indica L., 2-3 black pepper and 2 podsof garlic, is given to expel worms.S. rhombifolia L.

MALVACEAE. 'Kurundotti', 137.Leaves and roots are useful in treating

fever and urinary disorders. Roots are used totreat rheumatism. Infusion of the leaves is usedto treat heart ailments. Crushed leaves are usedas hair wash.Solanum nigrurn L.

SOLANACEAE. 'Manathakkali', 138.

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Rosakutty, Roslin & Ignacimuthu

The juice of the plant is recommended forcuring ulcers in the alimentary tract.S. torvum Sw.

SOLANACEAE. 'Sundai', 99.Fruits are eaten cooked or fried to reduce

stomach pain.S. trilobatum L.

SOLANACEAE. 'Thoothuvalaj', 106.The decoction of the plant is given to

reduce obesity. Leaf decoction is administered totreat asthma and tuberculosis.S. xanthocarpuni L.

SOLANACEAE. 'Kandankattirj', 81.The root decoction is useful to treat asthma

and bronchitis. The decoction of the leaf is usedas an expectorant for the control of cough.Fumigations with the vapour of the burningseeds is very useful to relieve toothache.Syzygiuni cumini (L.) Skeels

MYRTACEAE. 'Naval', 113.The seed powder is an effective remedy for

diabetes. The bark of the tree is used to treathaemorrhages and leucorrhoea. Tender leavesare used to treat dysentery.Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.

PAPILIONACEAE. 'Kozhunji', 120.The parts of the plant are taken orally as a

purifier of blood.Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam.

RUTACEAE. 'Indumullu', 126.The fresh leaves are eaten raw for pains in

the bowels.

Tribulus terrestrjs L.

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE 'Nerunjil', 119.The decoction of the plant is used for

treating kidney disorders and kidney stones.Tridax procumbens L.

ASTERACEAE. 'Muriyanpachilaj', 124.The leaf juice is applied to cuts and

wounds as an antiseptic.Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr.

121. ASCLEPIADACEAE. 'Nanjuruthankodj',

Leaves ground with onion and black

The first hand information receivedfrom the local Vaidyas, naturopaths andknowledgeable persons of this area arehighlighted in this paper. The plants areused to make different preparations like

suranam, lekium, kashayam, thailam,kulisai, powder form etc. All these plantsare available locally and are used by thelocal people as home remedies. They haveacquired this art from their ancestors.

74 plants commonly used, werecollected, identified and their local usesverified. Plants like Adhatoda vasica,Coleus aromaticus, Daemia extensa,Evolvulus alsinoides, Ocimum spp. Leucasaspera, Oldenlandja umbellata, Solanumtrilobatum, S. xanthocarpum andTylophora indica are used to healrespiratory ailments. Species such asGymnema sylvestre, Syzygium cumini,Cocos nucifera and Ficus benghalensis arevaluable remedies for diabetes.Asteracantha longifolia and Cocos nuciferaare diuretic. People also make use ofAchyranthes aspera, Anisomelesmalabarjca, Asteracantha longifolia,Cassia obtusa, Daemia extensa andSesbania grandiflora as laxatives. Fortreating diarrhoea and dysentery Aeglemarmelos, Canthjum paruiflorum, Punicagranatum, Psidium guajava, Coccinia

pepper, is taken orally to cure asthma.Typhonium trilobatum (L.) Schott.

ARACEAE. 'Karunaikilangu', 82.Rhizomes are used as a remedy for piles.

Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.RHAMNACEAE. 'Ilandai', 74.Fruits are used to treat uterus related

ailments. The bark is said to be a remedy intreating diarrhoea.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

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indica, Murraya koenigii are excellentremedies. Jaundice is treated with effectiveremedies like Phyllanthus fraternus,Alternanthera sessilis and Eclipta alba.

Plants like Aloe vera, Enicostema littorale,Ficus benghalensis, Hibiscus rosa-sine nsisand lonidium suffruticosum are useful

remedies for treating leucorrhoea. The localpeople utilize Cardiospermumhalicacabum, Sida rhombifolia and

Clerodendrum phlomides to treat

rheumatism.

CONCLUSION

This type of ethnobotanical field workpaves way for building an ecofriendlysociety where people live in harmony withnature so as to increase their life span.Man is forced to unravel the secrets ofnature for the sustainable development ofhis own environment.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

the Kanikkars of Travancore state. Bull.Dept. Ant hrop. India. 1 (2): 17 - 36.

JAIN, S.K. 1963. Studies in Indian Ethnobotany- Plants used in medicine by the tribals ofMadhya Pradesh. Bull. Regional ResearchLab. 1:126-129.

KIRTIKAR, K.R. & B.D. BASU, 1935. IndianMedicinal Plants. Vol. 1-4, 2nd ed. BishenSingh Mahendra Pal Singh. Dehradun andPeriodical Experts, Delhi.

MATHEW, K.M. 1983 - 1986. Flora of TamilNadu Carnatic. Rapinat Herbarium, St.Joseph's College, Tiruchirapalli.

MUKHERJEE, B. 1953. Socio-Economicorganisation of the Kanikar of Travancore.Bull. Dept. Anthrop.: 2: 33 - 82.

1954. The Malapandaram ofTravancore-their socio-economic life. Bull.Dept. Ant hrop. 22: 38.

PRASAD, P. NAGENDRA, A.J.A. RANJITSINGH, L.M. NARAYANAN & C.R.NATRAJAN, 1996. Ethnobotany of theKanikkars of South Tamil Nadu - 1. J. Econ.Taxon. Bot. Additional Series, 12. ScientificPublishers, Jodhpur (India), 292 - 298.

PUSHPANGADAN, P. & C.K. ATAL, 1984.Ethno-medico-botanical investigations inKerala 1. Some primitive tribals of WesternGhats and their herbal medicine. J.Ethnopharmacol. 11(1): 59 - 78.

& 1986. Ethnomedicaland Ethnobotanical investigations amongsome scheduled caste communities ofTravancore, Kerala, India. J.Ethnopharmacol. 16(2-3): 175 - 190.

SCHULTES, R.E. 1962. The lore of theethnobotanist in the search for newmedicinal plants. Lloydia 25 : 257 - 366.

The authors are thankful to localVaidyas especially to Shri M.S.S. Asan,Nagercoil, and Miss. Ambrosia, HolisticNature Cure Centre, Chunkankadai, andthe local people who guided us with their

knowledge.

REFERENCES

GAMBLE, J.S. et C.E.C. FISCHER, 1915. Floraof the Presidency of Madras Vol. 1-3 (BSIreprint) 1957. Calcutta.

GNANAMBAL, K. 1952. Funeral rites among

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ANNEXURE I I

Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants

from Western Ghats in India

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SOME MEDICAL PLANTSFROM THE WESTERN GHATS IN INDIA.

P.J.ROSAKUTTY and S.IGNACIMUTHUDepartment of Botany, Holy Cross College, Nagercoil-629 004.

Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai-600 034.

ABSTRACT

The search for biologically active compounds from natural sources has alwaysbeen of great interest to researchers looking for new sources of drugs useful in infectiousdiseases. A total of 120 extract from thirteen medicinal plants were subjected toantibacterial and antifungal activity using five species of Gram negative bacteria, twospecies of Gram positive bacteria and four species of fungi. Disc diffusion method wasfollowed. The test concentrations were 1-5 mg/ml for bacterial bioassay and 10-50mg/ml for antifungal assay.

It was found that all the plants tested revealed activity by inhibiting the growth ofone or several of the pathogens tested. Extracts from seven plants Acronychiapedunculata, Derris scandens, Madhuca longfolia var. la4folia, Mallow rhamnfolius,Pittosporum tetraspermum, Rhynchosia suaveolens and Sebastiania chamaelea exhibitedactivity against all the seven bacteria tested. Only ten extracts from four plants wereactive against at least one fungus. Among the fungi tested Sarocladium oryzae showedsignificant susceptibility to the toxic action of Pittosporum tetraspermum.

The present study may serve as a guide in the selection of plants with antibioticactivity for further work on the isolation and elucidation of the active compounds.Isolation of bioactive principle from M rhamnfolius and P. tetraspermum is at progress.

INTRODUCTION

The Western Ghats in peninsular India has a rich variety of tropical flora. Theindigenous population has developed a vast knowledge on the uses of plants as traditionalremedies to protect themselves and their crops. In the present times there is an increasedinterest in the search for biologically active compounds from higher plants as new sourcesof drugs because of the current resistance problem associated with the use of penicillinand other antibiotics.

Plants are known to contain numerous biologically active compounds whichpossess curative properties. Higher plants have played a dominant role as the source ofnovel therapeutic agents. On a global basis, at least 130 plant derived drugs are currentlyin use. However the number of new chemical entities emerging as therapeutic agents orlead compounds from higher plants has been low, after the so called classical period ofplant drug discovery.

0 New Millennium Seminar-Proceeding 219

Only a small percentage of higher plant species have so far been explored andmuch remains to be done to tap this versatile source of novel organic molecules withpossible interesting biological properties. Thus natural products from plants will continueto remain an integral part of modem medicine in the years to come.

The present investigation represents the screening of 13 plants for their potentialantimicrobial activity with a view to isolate the biologically active principle. In recentyears some studies have been reported on ethnobotanical survey of the Western Ghats.But only a few studies have been made on the antimicrobial activity of the plants found inthe southern regions of the Western Ghats in South India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The plants were collected at random from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Idukkidistrict of the southern Western Ghats. The medicinal information about these plantswere collected through interviews with Vidyas, naturopathists and knowledgeable personspracticing local medicines as suggested by Schultes( 1962) and Jain( 1963). The plantswere identified with the help of 'Flora of presidency of Madras' and confirmed in MadrasHerbarium, southern circle, BSI, Coimbatore. Vouchers are deposited at St. Xavier'sCollege Herbarium (XCH) Palayamkottai.

Preparation of plant extract

Extracts were made from air-dried samples of the whole plant. 50g of thepowdered test material was loaded onto glass column (3.5 x 60 cm) and extractedsuccessively with 250 ml of n-hexane, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate,methanol and water. This sequence of solvents allows for leaching of all compoundsbased on their polarity. The individual fractions were collected and concentrated by usingrotary evaporator (Buchitype) under reduced pressure at 400C to obtain crude extractsThe dilutions of plant extracts were made using acetone for crude extracts of less polarsolvents starting from hexane to ethyl acetate. Methanol was used for methanol extractand sterile water for aqueous extract. The above solvents were used because in additionto dissolving the extract completely, it showed no inhibition of the microbial growth. Thefinal concentrations were 1-5 mg/ml of solvents used for bacterial bioassay and 10-50mg/ml for antifungal studies. Filter paper discs of 6mm diameter of Whatman filter paperNo.1 were soaked in test solution for a minute and dried at room temperature.

Microorganisms used

The antimicrobial activity was tested against seven randomly selected bacterialstrain and four fungal species. Bacterial strains such as Escherichia coli, Kiebsiellapneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and

Proteus vulgaris were obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Institute of BasicMedical Sciences (IBMS), University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai, India. Purecultures of Xanthomonas oryzae var. oryzae, Fusarium oxysporum, F. oxysporum f.sp.

lycopersici and Sarocladium oryzae were procured from Centre for Advanced studies inBotany, University of Madras, Chennai, India. Aspergillus niger was locally isolated.

o New Millennium Seminar-Proceeding ® 220

Culture media and inoculum

The media used for antimicrobial tests were Nutrient Agar (NA) (Himedia,Mumbai, India) for bacteria and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) for fungi, Each organismwas maintained on its respective culture medium and was recovered for testing by subculturing on fresh media. An inoculum of each bacterial strain was suspended in 5m1 ofnutrient broth and incubated overnight at 37 T. The overnight cultures were diluted 1:10with fresh sterile nutrient broth before use. Broth for fungal growth was an infusion ofpeeled potatoes (200W1) at a pH pf 5.4 with 20g of dextrose per liter. The fungal cultureswere prepared by swabbing the parent slant with a cotton swab and then transferring thisto a vial containing 5m1 of PDA broth.

Antimicrobial Assay

Antimicrobial activity was demonstrated by a modification of the methoddescribed by Lennette, (1985). 0.5ml of the diluted microbial cultures were spread onsterile nutrient agar plates for bacteria and potato dextrose agar plates for fungi. The pre-soaked and dried discs of 6 mm diameter of Whatman filter paper No.1 were then placedon the seeded plates and gently pressed down to ensure contact. Commercially preparedantimicrobial susceptibility test disc, Gentamicin 10 pg and Nystatin 100u/disc (Himedia,Mumbai, India) were used as positive control for bacteria and fungi respectively. Therespective solvents, which were used to dissolve the crude extract served as negativecontrol. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 hr for bacteria and at ambient roomtemperature (27-30 °C for 72 hr) for fungi. After the incubation period the inhibitionzones around the disc were measured and recorded as the difference in diameter betweenthe disc (6mm) and growth free zones. Four replicates for each concentration werecarried out.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The consolidated result of the antimicrobial assay together with the availableethnobotanical data are enumerated in Table I and 2. The results of the plants whichwere less active or which showed little or no inhibition zone at lower concentration arenot included in the tables. As already mentioned the crude extracts were tested againstfive species of gram-negative bacteria, two species of gram-positive bacteria and fourspecies of fungi.

It was found that all the plants tested revealed activity by inhibiting the growth ofone or several of the pathogens tested. Extracts of ten plants namely Acronychiapedunculata, Derris scandens, Madhuca 1ongfolia var. 1atfo1ia, Mallow albus, Mphilippensis, M rhamnjfolius, Pittosporum tetraspermum, Rhynchosia suaveolens,Samadera indica and Sebastiania chamaelea exhibited activity against all the sevenbacteria tested. Only four plants P. tetraspermum, M long(folia var. latjfolia, D.scandens and Samadera indica showed antifungal activity.

G New Millennium Seminar-Proceeding 0 221

Table-1: Consolidated result of antibacterial activity of selected plants from the Southern WesternGhats, India.

Antimicrobial activity

Plant Name Voucher Locality Name of the bacteriaNo. Ec Bs Kp Pa Py Sa Xo

Acronychia XCH Idukki + + + + + + +pedunculata (L.) Miq. 22153

Derris scandens (Roxb.) XCH Aloor + + + + + + +Benth 22124

Madhuca iongifolia XCH Idukki + + + + ± + +(Koen.) Macbx. var. 22140latjfolia (Roxb.) A. Chev.

Mallow albus XCH Idukki + + + + + + +MueIl-Arg. var. 22139occidentalis Hook-f.

Mallotus philippensis XCH Courtallam + + + + + + +(Lam.) Muell.-Arg 22127

Mallow rhamnfolius XCH Courtallam + + + + + + +Muell.-Arg 22175

Pittosporum tetraspermum XCH Idukki + + + + + + +Wight & Am.

Rhynchosia suaveolens XCH Aloor + + + + + + +

(L.0 DC 22141

Samadera indica Gaertn. XCH Idukki + + + + + + +22151

Sebastiania chamaelea (L.) XCH Aloor + + + + + + +Muell.-Arg 22122

+ sign indicates microbial activity- sign indicates no microbial activity

Ec - Escherichia coli, Bs - Bacillus subtilis, Kp - Kiebsiella pneumoniae, Pa - Pseudomonasaeruginosa, Pv - Proteus vulgaris, Sa - Staphylococcus aureus, Xo - Xanthomonas oryzae

a New Millennium Seminar-Proceeding 0 222

Table-2: Results of antifungal assay

Antifungal activity

Plant Name Name of the fungi

A.niger S.oryzae F.oxysporum F.o. .lycorpersici

Derris scandens + + - +

Madhuca longifolia var. lattfolia +

Pittosporum tetraspermum +

Samadera indica +

+ sign indicates microbial activity- sign indicates no microbial activity

The different extracts of R.. suaveolens except the aqueous extract, exhibited antibacterialactivity against all the bacteria at all concentrations tested. Moderate to significant antibacterialactivity was shown by 1,11 & V fractions of M rhamn fo1ius against all bacteria in concentrationsranging 1-5 mg/ml ; while M albus and M philippensis were less active. Most of the extractsfrom different plant parts of A . pedunculata were active against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The methanolic extracts of M .longjfolia var. latfolia and S chainaelea weremore active when compared to other extracts of the same plant. Three plants namely Leea indica(Burm.F.)Meer.(Vitaceae), Ludwigia perennis L.(Onagraceae), Plectranthus barbatusAndr.(Lamiaceae) exhibited less antibacterial activity.

Mild to moderate antifungal activity was exhibited by 4 plants out of the 13 plantsscreened. All of them were active against S. oryzae. The methanolic extracts of P. tetraspermum,M longfolia var. latfolia and S. indica were found to be active. The aqueous extract ofD .scandens showed inhibitory action against A. niger, S. oryzae and F. oxysporum f. sp.lycorpersici at higher concentration (50 mg/ml).

Majority of the plant extracts were effective in inhibiting the growth of different speciesof bacteria tested. The biocidal activity was found to be both strain and dose dependent. Thevarious fractions of R.. suaveolens showed significant antibacterial activity. Similar antibacterialaction was reported earlier. The plant showed no inhibitory action against the fungi testedalthough inhibition of germination of spores of Alternaria alternata and Curvularia lunata wasreported (Ramachandra Reddy., 1991).

The n-hexane, diethyl ether and methanol fraction of leaves of M rhamnfo1ius weresignificant in their action against all bacteria tested whereas M a/bus and M .philippensis were

New Millennium Seminar-Proceeding G 223

mild in their inhibitory action. The antimicrobial activity of M resinoides (Grosvenor etal., (1 995)and Mphilippensis (Taylor et al., 1996) have been reported. The antibacterialactivity exhibited by the various extracts of A.pedunculata are in conformity with thecytotoxic action of the plant. Acrovestone, the cytotoxic principle from the bark of stemand root of A. pedunculata had been isolated (Wu et al., 1989). Steam distillates ofleaves caused significant mortality of aphids. The leaves of A . porteri are reported to beantimitotic(Lichius et al., 1994). The toxic activity of the roots of D.scandens are inagreement with the phytotoxic property of various species of Derris reported by otherworkers (Sawant et al., 1995). Plants such as M albus, L. perennis, L. indica showedmild antimicrobial activity although they were found to be inactive in earlier studies.

The crude methanol extracts were found to be toxic to fungi as in the case ofP. tetraspermum and M. longifolia var. latfolia and S .indica. Among the fungi testedS. oryzae showed significant susceptibility to the toxic action of P. tetraspermum. Theantimicrobial activity of leaf oil of P. senacia var. coursii had been reported(Mananjarasoa et al., 1998).

The results of the present study may serve as a guide in the selection of plantswith antibiotic activity for further work on the isolation and elucidation of the activecompounds. Isolation of active principle from M rhamnfolius and P. tetraspermum are

in progress.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The first author is grateful to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, Indiafor the financial support given by sanctioning the minor research project.

REFERENCES

Schultes, R. E., Oloydia.1962, 25, 257.

Jam, S. K., Bull. Regional Research Lab., 1963, 1, 126.

Grosvenor, P. W., Suprino, A., Gray, D. 0., J. EthnopharmacoL 1995, 45,97.

Taylor, R. S. L., Edel, F., Manandhar,N.P.,TOwerS, G.H.N., J. Ethnopharmacol.,1996, 50,

97.

Lichius, J. J., Thoison, 0., Montagnae, A., Poise, M., Guesitte-Voegelein, F., Svenet, T., J.

Natural Products, 1994,57,1012

Lennette, E. H., Manual of Clinical Microbiology, Washington, D. C.,1985, 97.

Wu, T.S. Wang, M. L., Jong T. 1., McPhail, A. T., Mc phail, D. R., Lee, K. H, 1989, J.

Natural Product, 52, 1284.

Ramachandraiah Reddy,M.B., Indian J. Microbiol., 1991, 31 55-56.

Sajio, R., Nonaka, G., Nishioks, I., Chem .Pharmaceu. Bull., 1989, 37, 10.2624.

Mananjarasoa, E., Rakotovao, M., Ravaonindrina, N., J. Essential oil Res. 1998 10, 459.

Sawant, S. S., Sonak, S., Garg, A., Indian J. Marine Sci. 1995, 24, 229.

® New Millennium Seminar-Proceeding a 224

ANNEXURE III

Fractionation of active compounds from

Pittosporum tetraspermum leaves

Proceedings of the UGC sponsored National Workshop on "Advanced Techniques in Biotechnology". 26-28 March 2005.

Fractionation of active compounds from

Pittosporum tetraspermum leaves

Rosakutty P.J. and A.Stella Roslin,

Department of Plant Biology and Plant biotechnology,

Holy Cross College, Nagercoil-629004,India.

Abstract

Shade dried and powdered leaf material of Pittosporum tetrarpermum was extracted successively with petroleum ether andmethanol. The combined methanol extract was concentrated in vacuo to give a residue which was partitioned between ethyl acetate-n-butanol (2:1) and water. The aqueous layer was extracted with n-butanol and evaporated under reduced pressure to yield crudesaponin mixture. The n-butanol extract was subjected to Si-gel CC eluting with chloroform and gradient with methanol and finallywith methanol. Nine fractions were collectàd and concentrated and tested for their biological activity and four bioactive fractionsisolated.

Introduction:Plants are known to contain numerous biologically active compounds which possess curative prop-

erties. A number of medicinal plants have been evaluated for their biological activity and their phytochemicalsanalyzed. Saponins are part of many plant drugs and folk medicines. Over one thousand saponins andtriterpene glycosides have been elucidated (Kauffman etal., 1999)

Saponins are of common occurrence in the plant kingdom (Basu and Rastogi, 1967). They readilyform foams in water, haemolyse blood, have bitter taste and are toxic to fish (Harborne, 1973). They arecomposed of two parts namely a glycone (sugar) and an aglycone or genin moiety. Saponins are the readilyaccessible source of sapogenins in plants.

Many species of the genus Pittosperum belonging to the family Pittosporaceae are in use in folkloremedicines (Caius, 1986) and Triterpenoid saponins (Yosioka et al., 1972 ; Higuchi etal., 1983 b) have beenisolated from P tobira and P undulatum. The crude methanol extract of the leaves of P tetraspermumwas found to be biologically active. Hence it was subjected to fractionation and isolation of the activecompound.

Materials and methodsPittosporum tetraspermum was collected from the humid tropical forest in Idukki District in Kerala.

The plant was identified using standard flora and confirmed by the Botanical survey of India, Coimbatore.Voucher specimen was also prepared. The leaves of tetraspermum were shade dried and powdered. Thecoarsely powdered leaves (0.5g) was extracted successively with petroleum ether and methanol (3 x 2 1).The combined methanol extract was evaporated under reduced pressure to dryness. The methanol residue(60g)was partitioned between ethyl acetate-n-butanol (2:1) and water. The aqueous layer was extractedwith n-butanol and evaporated under reduced pressure to yield crude saponin mixture (15g) following themethod of Higuchi et al. (1983 a).

The n-butanol extract was subjected to Si-gel column chromatography. Column chromatographywas carried out on silica gel (100-120 mesh, Merk). The column then was eluted with chloroform andgradient with methanol and finally with methanol (Chart 1). 9 fractions were collected concentrated, dried invacuum desiccator and tested for their biological activity. The invitro activity of the n-butanol extract and its

nine fractions were assessed against Sarocladium oryzae by the disc diffusion assay (Lennette,1985).

Pure cultures of Sarocladium oTyzae was obtained from Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany,

University of Madras, Chennai, India. The inoculum was prepared by inoculating the fungus in sterilepotato dextrose broth and incubating at 27°C for two days. Potato Dextrose Agar (38 g) was suspended in1 liter of distilled water and boiled to dissolve completely. The pH was adjusted to 5.6 at 3 1°C. Themedium was sterilized by autoclaving at 15 lbs pressure (121 0C for 15 mm). The broth for fungal growthwas an infusion of peeled potatoes(20011) at a pH of 5.4 with 20 g of dextrose per liter, sterilized byautoclaving as above. The nine fractions were tested independently for their antifungal activity. In the discdiffusion method, sterile discs were impregnated with 10 111 of nine test fractions of n-butanol extract (100gig/disc) and also bulk n-butanol extract (1 mg/disc). Plant extracts were dissolved in methanol. Methanolwas used as negative control and nystatin as positive control. Tests were carried out in duplicate and themean values were taken.

Chart I

Pittosporum tel raspermum

Leaves coarsely powdered

Petroledm ether

Methanol

Combined methanol extract

Residue

Partitioned with ethyl acetate-n- butanol(2: 1) & water

Crude saponin mixture

CC over Silica gel

CHCI: MeOH CHCIJMeOH CHCl:MeOH CHCI3 : %4eOH CHCI3:6H CHCI3:

100% 95:5 90:10

80:20

75:25 70:30 60:40

I I I

I I I

I II III

Iv

V VI VII

Note: I to IX = Fractions

Result and Discussion:

CHC13MeOH MeOH

55:45 100%to

49:60

VIII IX

Repeated extraction of P tetrasporum leaves with petroleum ether resulted in defatted leaveswhich was extracted with methanol to give crude methanol extract. The n-butanol fraction of methanolextract gave a mixture of crude saponins. The crude saponin mixture upon separation through Si-gel CCresulted in nine fractions (Chart D. Fractions I-V, eluted with chloroform and chloroform gradient withmethanol(95 :5 to 75:25) were less polar. Fraction VI eluted with chloroform- methanol (70:30), fraction VIIeluted with chloroform-methanol (60:40) and fraction Vifi eluted with step wise gradient of chloroform-methanol (55:45 to 40:60) were more polar in nature and fraction IX eluted with methanol was highly polar.

When the nine fractions were tested for their biological activity, fraction I to V were found to beinactive and fractions VI to IX were biologically active showing the presence of biologically active com-pounds in these fractions (Table 1). The observation that highly polar fractions showed biological activityrevealed that the bioactive compounds are highly polar in nature. The triterpenoid properties of the activefractions (VI to IX) were shown by Liebermann - Burchard test and these formed stable foam whenshaken with water (Harbone 1973).

Table I: Antifungal activity of n-butanol extract and its fractions from the leaves ofP.tetraspermum

zone of inhibition(mm)*

extract/ fractions concentration Sarocladium oryzae

n-butanol 1 mg/disc 16

I 100 j.tg/disc -

II 100 ig/disc -

III 100 pgIdisc -

IV 100 j.tg/disc -

V 100 p.g/disc -

VI 100 jig/disc 12

VII 100 j.tg/disc 16

Vifi 100 p.g/disc 16

IX 100 big/disc 20

Nystatin 100 u/disc 16

Negative control I 10 j.il/disc -

* Values are average of two replicates. - No activity; Negative control- solvent used. Zone ofinhibition recorded includes the diameter of the disc(6mm).

The bioactive fractions identified could be triterpenoid saponins, which is in agreement withsimilar substances found in other species of this genus, the major components being triterpenoid saponins(Yosioka et al., 1972; Higuchi et al., 1983 b). Out of the nine fractions which were tested independentlyfor their antifungal activity, fraction IX showed the highest inhibitory activity and maximum yield. Hence itwas subjected to structure elucidation by spectral data analysis. The characterization of the biologicallyactive compound is in progress.

Reference:

Basu, N., Rastogi, R.P., 1967. Triterpenoid saponins and sapogenins. Phytochemistry 6, 1249-1270.

Caius, J.F., 1986. The medicinal and poisonous plants of India. Scientific publishers, Jodhpur, India.pp. 1-353.

Harborne J.B., 1973. Phytochemical methods. Chapman and Hall London. ppl-271.

Higuchi,R.,Komori, T., Kawasaki, T., Lassak, E.V., 1983 a. Triterpenoid sapogenins from leaves of

Pittosporum undulatum. Phytochemistiy 22,1235 —1237.

Higuchi, R., Fujiok, T., Iwamoto, M., Komori, T., Kawasaki,T., Lassak, EX, 1983b.Triterpenoid saponinsfrom leaves of Pittosporum undulatum. Phytochemistry 22,2565 —2569

Kauffman, P.B., Eseke, L.J., Warder, S., Duke, J.A., Driel Mann, H.L., 1999. Natural products from

plants. CRC press. Ratten, pp 1-342.

Lennette,E.H., 1985. manual of Clinical Microbiology (41h Edn.). American Association for Microbiology,

Washington, D.C., pp 978-987.

Yosioka, I., Hino, K., Matsuda, A., Kitagawa, I., 1972. Saponin and Sapogenol. VI. Sapogenol constitu-

ents of leaves of Pittosporum tobira Am. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 20, 1499-1506.

ANNEXURE IV

Antifeedant Activity of a Few Herbals against

the Larvae of Spodoptera litura F.

UNurnal of Theoretical and Experimental Biology 1(3)::113-119,,.20052005 Elias Academic Publishers

ntifeedant Activity of a Few Herbals against the Larvae ofpodoptera litura F.

J. Rosakutty', S. Ignacimuthu 2 and A. Stella Rosli&

)epartment of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Holy Cross College, Nagercoil-629004, Tamil Nadu, India.ntomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai- 600034, Tamil Nadu, India.

ceived: 24 January, 2005; revised received: 11 March , 2005.

AbstractThe antifeedant effect of methanol extracts of ten selected medicinal plants was examined against thirdinstar larvae of Spodoptera litura F. All the plant extracts proved superior to untreated control inproviding protection against larval feeding. The leaf extract of Pittosporum tetraspermum Wight &Am. showed the highest feeding deterrency (32.60%) followed by the leaf extract of Mallotusrhamnjfolius (31.98%). The methanol extract of P. tetraspermum plant parts was tested against sec-ond and third instar larvae. The extract of stem bark provided higher protection than the root and leafextracts. It was observed that the early (second) instar larvae were more susceptible to the antifeedant

action of P. tetraspermum than third instar larvae.

Keywords: antifeedant, instar larvae, Spodoptera litura, Mallotus rhamnifolius, Pittosporumtetrasperinum, feeding deterrency

Introduction

odoptera litura F. is a polyphagous pest, whichtuses serious damage to cultivated crops likeoundnut and tobacco. Many synthetic pesticidese recommended for its control, but none of themives a satisfactory control without somedesirable side effects. One of the alternatives toe use of synthetic organic pesticide is to tap plantsources with potent insecticidal I antifeedantfivity.

Antifeedants are substances, whichrevent or reduce feeding. Antifeedant activitiesLclude treatment effects, which reduce or preventeding. Antifeeding can be of great value inrotecting crops from insect attack. Most plantsDntain antifeedants for numerous phytophagousisect species (Jenny, 1976). Antifeedants in plantsary greatly in their chemistry and include primary

and secondary metabolites (Jermy, 1976).Secondary metabolites have long been consideredas major parameters used by insects in theirrejection of specific plants as food (Norris, 1986).A number of studies have been reported onantifeedant screening of higher plant extracts(Kubo and Nakanislii, 1977; Koshiya and Ghelani,1990; Sahayaraj, 1998). Though the antifeedantand repellant properties of a number of plantspecies on Spodoptera were reported by earlierworkers (Benerji et al., 1985; Srimannarayana,1988; Cassi-lit and Morallo—Rejusus, 1990; Joshyet al., 1990; Koshiya and Ghelani, 1990), theusefulness of many other botanicals in pest controlis not yet investigated. An attempt is, thereforemade to investigate the antifeedant efficacy of tenselected plants against the polyphagous pest S.litura with special reference to Pittosporumtetraspermum.

Corresponding author; Email address: holy_ngcsancharnet.in

113

Rosakutty et all Antifeedant activity of a few herbals

Table 1: Antifeedant activity of methanol extracts (1000 ppm) of a few herbals againstSpodoptera litura, 3rd instar larvae.

Name of the plant(Plant parts used)

A cronychia pedunculata(Leaf)

Derris scandens(Root)

Madhuca longfolia var. 1atfo1ia(Leaf)

Mallow albus var. occidentalis(Leaf)

M. rhamnfolius(Leaf)

M philippensis(Leaf)

Rhynchosia suaveolens(Leaf)

Mean area Mean areaprotected consumed

in cm2in cm2

8.46± 1.13' 5.19

8•431•86b 5.22

7.23 ± 1 . 30 6.42

8.61 ± 0•71b 5.04

8.96 ± 1•69b 4.70

8.81 ± 1•07b 4.84

7.43 ± 0.92 a 6.22

Percent antifeedantactivity

24.81

24.32

6.93

26.93

31.98

29.9

9.86

Pittosporum tetraspermum9.00 ± 0.72' 4.63 32.6(Leaf)

Samaderaindica 827114b 5.38 22.12(Leaf)

Sebastiania chamaelea 7.18 ± 0 . 96a6.47 6.24(Leaf)

Control Methanol

6.75 ± 0 .40 6.90

Water 6.73 ± 1.26 6.93 -

Values are Mean ± SD often replicates (n = 10).Different alphabets in a column are statistically significant by LSD (P<0.05)

Materials and Methods

Insect CultureLarvae of Spodoptera litura F. were collectedfrom the groundnut fields in Chengalpattu District,Tamil Nadu, India and were reared at theEntomology Research Institute, Loyola College,Chennai. They were fed with tender castor leaves(Ricinus communis) at a room temperature, 29 ±2°C and 70 ± 2 percent relative humidity.

Preparation of Plant ExtractThe medicinal plants were collected from threedifferent parts of Southern Western Ghats namely,regions in Kanyakumari District and Courtallamin Tamil Nadu and the humid tropical forest inIdukki District in Kerala, India. The plants wereidentified using standard flora and confirmed by theBotanical Survey of India, Coimbatore. Voucherspecimens were also prepared. The plant materialswere shade dried at room temperature (31°C) andused for analysis.

114


Extracts were prepared from shade driedfinely ground samples of the plant parts. lOOgvdered plant material was subjected toaction successively using n-hexane andhanoi (3 times with 500 ml of each solvent).r extraction with n-hexane, the plant materialair dried overnight at room temperature forplete evaporation of the solvent before

sequent extraction. The individual fractionse collected, filtered and concentrated usingry evaporator (Buchitype) under reduced;sure at 40°C to obtain a crude extract. Thele extract was collected in a sterile containerstored at 4°C. Only the methanol extract was1 in the present study.

assayifeedant activities of crude extracts were testedinst late third instar larvae of Spodopterara using no-choice method (Asher and Rones,0). Leaf discs of 13.65 cm2 were punched fromh castor leaves. The test compounds 1000i in methanol, was spread uniformly on eitherof the leaf disc with the help of a brush, dried

exposing to air briefly and placed on a moistr paper in a petri dish. A single third instar

ra of S. litura (starved for 4 h) reared in the)ratory was introduced into the petri dish. Two

of parallel controls were maintained with.ilar leaf discs, one sprayed with methanol andother with water. The petri dishes were

ibated at 28 ± 1°C for 24 h. The protectedarea was measured using a leaf area meter

)del Delta T devices, Cambridge, U. K.) at theof the experimental period. Ten replicates

e maintained and average values were taken.centage reduction in feeding or percentageifeedant activity was calculated as follows:

ntifeedant activity =Mean consumption in control -

Mean consumption in treated x 100Mean consumption in control

Similarly the feeding deterrency of thede extracts of the leaf, root bark and stem barkP. tetra.permum was tested at 1000 ppmiinst second and third instar larvae ofritura Leaf discs of 4.4 cm 2 were used for the

• second instar larvae. Methanol extract of stem barkwas further tested at varying concentrations, viz.,500 ppm, 250 ppm and 100 ppm against the secondand third instar larvae.

Statistical AnalysisResults were expressed as the Mean ± SD of 10replicates (n = 10) and the data analyzed andtreatments compared using single factor analysisof variance. Further the mean of treatment wasseparated by Least Significant Difference (LSD)test (P <0.05).

Results and Discussion

Table 1 provides feeding deterrency percentage ofthird instar larvae of S. litura exposed to methanolextracts of ten different plants. The methanol leafextract of P. tetraspermum exhibited the highestfeeding deterrency (32.60%) followed by leafextract of Mallow rhamnifolius (31.98%), M.philippensis (29.90%),,M albus var. occidentalis(26.93%), Acronychiä pedunculata (24.81%),root. extract of Derris scandens (24.32%) andleaf extract of Samadera indica (22.12%). Theleast deterrency effect was shown by the leafextracts of Sebastiania chamaelea (6.24%),Madhuca ion gfolia var. iatzfolia (6.93%) andRhynchosia suaveolens (9.86%).

All the plant extracts when tested at 1000ppm concentration proved superior to untreatedcontrol in providing protection against larval feeding(Table 1). Among the antifeedants tested, extractsof P. tetraspermum as well as M. rhamnifoliuswere more effective and .provided significantly(P<0.05) higher protection. The maximumprotection was offered by the treatment of leafextract of P. tetraspermum.

The results of the antifeedant activity ofmethanol extracts of P. tetraspermum plant parts(stem bark, root bark and leaf) against the secondand third instar larvae of S. litura is shown inTable 2. The data on percent protection due todifferent plant parts of P. tetraspermum revealedthat extracts at 1000 ppm proved superior tountreated control (methanol and water) inproviding protection against second and thirdinstar larvae of S litura

115

Rosakutty et a! / Antifeedant activity of a few herbals

Table 2: Antifeedant activity of methanol extracts (1000 ppm) of Pittosporum tetraspermumagainst 2nd and 3rd instar larvae.

Mean areaPlant Parts

-protected in cm2Mean area consumed

in cm2Percent antifeedant

activity

Second instar larvae

Stem bark 4.21 ± 008b 0.20

74.6

Root bark 4.12 E1.27b

0.28

63.67

Leaf 4.03 ± 0. 14a0.37 52.21

Methanol 3.63 ± 0.24a 0.77

Control

Water 3.62±0.19

0.78

Third instar larvae

Stem bark

9.56 ± 093b 4.09

40.75

Root bark

9.26 ± 059b 4.39

36.46

Leaf 9.00 ± 0.72a 4.65 32.6

Methanol 6.75 ± 0.40 6.90

Control

Water 6.73 ± 1.26 6:93

Values are Mean ± SD often replicates (n = 10)Within a column different alphabets are statistically significant by LSD (P<0.05)

Among the three plant parts tested againstsecond instar larvae, extracts of the bark of stemand that of the root exhibited higher antifeedantactivity of 74.60% and 63.67% respectively. Theleaf extract showed only 52.2 1% activity. A similartrend was also evident in the treatment ofantifeedants against third instar larvae. Thepercent protection due to stem and root bark were40.76% and 36.46% respectively while leaf extractgave 32.6% protection.

The data on percent protection due todifferent concentrations of methanol extract ofstem bark against second and third instar larvaeshowed that the early (second) instar larvae weremore susceptible to the antifeedants than thirdinstar larvae (Table 3). It is also observed that thepercentage protection in each larval stagedecreased with dilution of the antifeedant. Thestem bark offered 53.12%, 38.52% and 25.39%

protection against second instar larvae at 500 ppm,250 ppm and 100 ppm respectively. Similarly, thepercentage protection against third instar larvaewas 32.37%, 22.12% and 9.86% at theconcentrations given above.

The observation that all the tested plantextracts proved superior to untreated control inproviding protection against the larvae of S. liturais in accordance with the generally agreed factthat higher plants contain antifeedants for numerousphytophagous insect species (Norris, 1986; Kubo,1993; Krishnamurthy et al., 1999 and Srivastavaet al., 1999). Above observation was alsosubstantiated by the work of earlier investigatorswho reported the antifeedant activity of severalhigher plants (Srimannarayana, 1988; Koshiya andGhelani, 1990; Kubo, 1993).

The antifeedant property shown by themethanol extracts of selected plants at

116


le 3: Antifeedant activity of different concentrations of methanol extract of Pittosporum tetraspermum stemagainst Spodoptera litura larvae.

Concentration of the extract (ppm)Larval Stage

2nd instar Larvae

3rd instar Larvae

Control100

3.83 ±

(25.39%)

7.43 ±

(9.86%)

250

3.92 + 0•10b

(38.52%)

8.27 ± 0•95b

(22.12%)

500

4.04 ± 0.12c

(53.12%)

8.98 ± 0•38b

(32.37%)

3.63 ± 0.242

6.75 ± 0.40

Values are Mean ± SD of ten replicates (n = 10)

Figures in parenthesis are percentage of leaf protected compared to control

Within a row different alphabets are statistically significant by LSD (P<0.05)

0 ppm was more or less similar to the findingsKoul et al. (2000) who demonstrated thewth inhibitory and antifeedant bioactivities of;hanol extracts of Melia dubia at threshold1s of 500 ppm against larvae of S. litura andicoverpa armigera. Similarily Yasui et al.

98) demonstrated the feeding deterrency of thehanoi extracts of Momordica charantia leavesiinst two armyworms, S. litura andlAdaletia separata. Also, Cassi-lit and Morallo-usus (1990) observed pronounced growthibition of S. litura larvae exposed to cruderacts of Aristolochia elegans and A. tagala.

results observed by these authors are ineement with the present observation.

Among the botanicals tested in the presentdy, treatment with the extract oftetraspermum leaf offered higher protection.60%) than all the other plants tested. Otherrkers have also reported similar observations)shiya and Ghelani, 1990; Krishnamurthyil., 1999). Similarly Sahayaraj (1998) evaluatedLumber of botanicals and found them to beifeedant and growth inhibitory in nature and thehest deterrent action was found in 10% aqueousf extract of Vitex negundo.

Different plant parts of P. tetraspermumered protection against larval feeding. Amongvarious antifeedants under test, the treatments

:h extracts of root and stem bark as well as leafre effective and provided protection. Maximum

protection was offered by the treatment of stembark extract, which was found to be higher thanall other treatments. The same trend wasobserved by Koshiya and Ghelani (1990) whoreported on the percentage protection given by leaf(51.04%) and seed (65.52%) extracts ofAzadirachta indica against third instar larvae ofS. litura.

In the present study, the second instarlarvae were found to be more susceptible to theplant antifeedants than the third instars. Similarobservations were reported by Shah (1996), whoinvestigated the antifeedant effect of differentconcentrations of Parthenium hysterophorus andAdhatoda vasica leaf extracts against varied larvalinstars of groundnut leaf miner (Stomopteryxsubsecivella). Factors like the stage, physiologicalconditions and age of the test larvae and I or theirdifferent sensitivity to antifeedants or the presenceof some antifeedants in the extract may explain thedifference in their susceptibility to the plantantifeedañts (Norris, 1986; Yasui et al., 1998).

It was also observed that the percentageprotection given was dose dependent. Antifeedantactivity decreased with the dilution of theantifeedants tested. The same trend was reportedby Ahamed and Gupta (1981) who found that thehydrophrene was effective in causing 100% larvalmortality at 1% and 2% concentrations in Culexfatigans and 48% larval mortality at 0.5%concentration, while Shah (1996) reported more

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Rosakutty et a! / Antifeedant activity of a few herbals

than 50% larval mortality in S. subsecivella athigher concentrations (0.75 and 1.0 %) ofantifeedants.

The feeding deterrency of P.tetraspermum may be attributed to the toxic ordeterrent principles present in the bark and leaf ofthe plant. The above finding is in agreement withthe view that plant parts such as bark whichprotects the internal tissues are known to be richin toxic constituents (Ramachandran andSubramaniam, 1993) and young leaves with highernitrogen and water content may contain higherlevels of chemical deterrents to ward offherbivores (Van Dam et al., 1995).

Phytochemical analysis of methanolextracts of P. tetraspermum plant parts indicatedthe presence of terpenoids, saponins andpolyphenols in the crude extracts. Likewise thebark of P. floribundum contains a saponin,pittosporin (Kirthikar and Basu, 1991) and theleaves and bark of P. undulatum is reported tocontain triterpenoid saponin (Gildemeister andHofflTlann, 1956). Moreover feeding deterrency ofterpenoids (Kubo and Nakanishi, 1977; Aerts andMordue (Luntz) 1997) and saponins (Gupta et al.,1993) lent support to the anifeedant activityexhibited by P. tetraspermum. There are noearlier reports in respect of the antjfeedant actionof the plants used in the present study. Amongthe ten botanicals screened for their antifeedantactivity, P. tetrasperum is found to be promising.Further studies related with the isolation andcharacterization of the active principles involved isin progress.

Acknowledgement

The first author is grateful to the University GrantsCommission, Hyderabad, for the financialassistance by sanctioning the minor researchproject during ninth plan period.

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annexure - shodhganga : a reservoir of indian theses...

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