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Religiously associated Manipuri Kombirei (Iris laevigata Fisch.): A new addition to the Indian flora
Full text linkReligiously associated Manipuri Kombirei or Manipuri Iris which is considered endemic to Manipur as per the Flora of Manipur (2000) has long been misidentified (misnomer) as Iris bakeri Wall. (Iridaceae) but after thorough investigation the botanical identity of this plant has been established as Iris laevigata Fisch. In India, I. laevigata Fisch. is the first report from Manipur, hence it is a new addition to the Indian Flora. During 1960’s Kombirei plant was naturally growing in two wetlands of Manipur namely, Lamphelpat and Yaralpat but now it has completely vanished from its natural habitat due to various factors like habitat loss and invasion by weeds but a few hundred plants are maintained in captive farm at the periphery of Lamphelpat by a private cultural society viz., Ipathoukok. Currently, some plants are also recorded in small pockets from two wetlands of Manipur namely, Maibam Phumlou and Ikkop pat which is believed to have been established later by being brought down by the upstream rivers falling into the lakes. Manipuri Iris is religiously offered during the Manipuri New Year viz., Sajibu Cheiraoba as a symbol of eliminating caste system. Due to its habitat sensitivity, conservation of this plant should be prioritized, otherwise loss of this species from Manipur may lead to loss of a species from the Indian flora
Reversal of restraint stress caused dendritic atropy in rats by Nardostachys jatamansi
Full text linkHippocampus and prefrontal cortex of brain have distinct role in encoding and retrieval of memories. Uncontrollable stress may influence the structural alterations of limbic brain regions and atropy of neurons mainly in the regions like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Nardostachys jatamansi (D. Don) DC (NJE) is a perennial herb and is known for its anti-Parkinson’s, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, hypotensive and anti-diabetic activities. Even though, it is an effective therapeutic intervention for memory impairment but, its effect on the neurons of the hippocampus is not clear. In this context, the effect of NJE on chronic restraint stress induced dendritic atropy in rats was studied. Male Wistar rats underwent 21 days of restraint stress in a close fitting rodent restrainer. In combined treatment groups rats were treated with alcoholic extract of NJE at dosage of 200 mg/kg bw for 21 days along with chronic restraint stress. The dendritic morphology of neurons was studied in Golgi-impregnated sections. Stress produced dendritic atropy significantly increased the dendritic branching and intersections in experimental rats. Interestingly, treatment of stressed rats with NJE extract resulted in the reversal of stress induced the dendritic atrophy. These results demonstrate that atrophy of dendritic neurons caused by chronic restraint stress may be responsible for learning and memory impairment. Co-treatment of rats with NJE showed enhancement in the dendritic branching in the hippocampus. Furthermore, NJE treatment significantly increased superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant capacity in frontal cortex, hippocampus and striatum regions of brain. Thus, our findings suggest that NJE is a potential neuroprotector, which might be beneficial in the treatment of stress induced memory impairment.
Dynamic monitoring of the cytotoxic effects of Cousinia iconica extracts on A549 and RL95-2 cells using the xCELLigence RTCA system
Full text linkAsteraceae family plants have potential anticancer activity. The plants have various pharmacological effects and the effects of Cousinia iconica Hub. - Mor. (Asteraceae) depend on many factors, mainly on the type of cells and dose. In this study, the cytotoxic effects of the C. iconica were investigated using different tumor cell lines: Non-small lung cancer (A549) and human endometrium carcinoma cell line (RL95-2). For the study, cell viability was determined with MTT assay and the xCELLigence Real‑Time Cell Analyser (RTCA) SP instrument was used. Different concentrations of C. iconica extract and sub-extracts were applied on A549 and RL95-2 cell lines. The ethyl acetate sub-extract and methanol extract of C. iconica were cytotoxic to RL95-2 cells. According to RTCA results, the IC50 values of ethyl acetate sub-extract 44.82, 60.89, and 55.22 µg/mL and methanol extract 265.52, 250.48, and 246.65 µg/mL, for 24, 48, and 72-h exposure, respectively. Real-time xCELLigence measurements show that RL95-2 cells are more sensitive to ethyl acetate sub-extract than methanol extract. The results show that ethyl acetate sub-extract has a cytotoxic effect on RL95-2 endometrium cancer cells, with low IC50 values close to cisplatin. This study is the known first study to show the cytotoxic effects of C. iconica extracts on both A549 and RL95-2 cell lines
In vitro validation of anti-diabetic and free radical scavenging property of Naaval Kottai Mathirai, a promising Siddha drug for the management of Diabetes mellitus
Full text linkThe World Health Organization (WHO) reported 422 million total Diabetic population worldwide and about 1.5 million death rates caused due to it. Diabetes Mellitus (Madhumegam) is a disease classified under Neerinai Perkukkal Noi (diseases causing excessive urination) caused due to increased kapam humour. Naaval Kottai Mathirai (NKM) is a unique herbal Siddha drug prepared from Aristolochia bracteolata which has bitter taste and Syzygium cumini which has astringent taste. The herbal formulation NKM neutralizes kapam and hence effective in Madhumegam. In vitro studies like alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase inhibitory assays were performed to prove the anti diabetic effect of the drug NKM. DPPH (2,2- Diphenyl 1-2 picrylhydrazyl) assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide radical scavenging assay were done to evaluate its antioxidant potency. The results showed that minimum alpha amylase inhibitory activity ranged from 19.42±5.92 to 60.92±3.98%, with an IC50 value 70.9±12.37 μg/mL, when it is compared with standard drug acarbose, which showed inhibition ranged from 39.83±2.18 to 91.08±5.43 with an IC50 value 13.29±1.95 μg/mL in various concentration levels of NKM. The IC50 value of Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) was noted as 48.61±1.69 μg/mL and NKM as 67.19±7.81 μg/mL for the H2O2 scavenging antioxidant activity. In nitrogen scavenging antioxidant activity, it was observed that IC50 value of gallic acid was 23.02 μg/mL and NKM was 79.13 μg/mL. In DPPH scavenging activity, for ascorbic acid, the standard showed its IC50 value as 13.36 μg/mL and NKM as 53.39 μg/mL. The phytoconstituents present in NKM may enrich the antidiabetic and antioxidant properties of the drug
Proximate Composition and Micronutrient Analysis of Ten Traditional Rice Varieties of Wayanad District
No full textAbstract More than half of the world’s population depend on Rice (Oryza sativa L.) as a staple food. In countries like India rice is present in every meal and is a rich source of nutrients. There are reports on nutrition richness of traditional rice accessions from different parts of the world and it is important to bring the less known nutrient rich traditional rice accessions to lime light. As there are many factors influencing the availability of nutrition content in rice, we investigated the nutrition content of ten selected rice accessions at different locations of Wayanad district. There was significant difference in proximate composition and mineral content among the selected traditional rice accessions of Wayanad. Moreover, proximate composition in all the rice accession was similar in replications at different regions of the district and it significantly varied among replications in mineral contents. The highest protein content (10.23±0.56) % observed in Chenthadi. Highest fibre content (1.46±0.09) % and fat content (2.12±0.21) % was observed in Jeerakasala. Highest Fe content was observed for the accession Chennellu at location Tirunelly and highest Zn content was observed for Kodu Veliyan at location Kaniyambetta. The results point to the need for more studies on factors affecting micronutrient absorbance of rice accessions
Physico-chemical parameters of traditional salt producing springs of Ancient Assam, Northeast India
Full text linkThree salt springs of ancient Assam (currently in a part of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India) situated in the Mohong area (Phullung and Khela) and Samkhor have been studied to bring out their physico-chemical characteristics by using ionic concentration ratios along with SEM and EDS techniques. The high TDS values of the studied salt springs (wells) under investigation infers mildly brackish water type. The Disang Group of rocks are the dominant lithotypes connected with the spring. The positive correlation between Na+ and Cl- indicates the samples have an origin including halite (NaCl) dissolution, which may imply that the study area's saline and salty springs come from the incongruent dissolution of halite. The larger concentrations of almost all ionic values of Cl-, SO42-, Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ were found in Phullung and Khela, while lower values were found in Semkhor, which suggests that from Semkhor to Phullung and Khela (i.e., towards northeast), the concentration of salinity increases. The occurrences of the development of crystal phases in the SEM and EDS results also substantiate the salinity increasing trend towards the northeast. The studied samples have lower Na+/Cl-, K+/Cl- and SO42-/Cl- indicating a deeper aquifer source and minimal anthropogenic impact. The average value of sodium absorption ration (SAR) of 30.62 indicates that the studied water quality is not permissible for agricultural use. The negative BEX values ranging from -20.58 to -203.74 suggest that the aquifer of the studied well are being salinized
The intangible art of toy making process and its impact on the house forms of Kondapalli village: Andhra Pradesh, India
Full text linkA house can be defined as an interpretation of perceptions of the society, inculcated within it, in a direct or indirect method. The social cycle of creation of space depends on parameters of site, settings, cultural history, and traditions. Therefore, it’s not only the house form or architectural elements of the space, which encapsulates the whole idea behind its invention but also the symbolic dimension added to it, defining its significance and identity. The study analyses the association of toy-making process of Kondapalli Village (Andhra Pradesh) with its impact on the built environment of the inhabitants over years. The following study attempts to analyze the toy-making process of Kondapalli Village and its impact on the built environment of the houses. The study is threefold, firstly it attempts to understand the traditional knowledge in the process of wooden toy making in Kondapalli; secondly, the spatial analysis of different house forms ranging from vernacular to modern house and their inter-relationship with the art form deduced to examine the sequential evolution of forms and functions; lastly, an establishment of the symbolic relationship of the toy-making process with the community. Therefore, the study helps to analyse and establish an inter-connection between the house forms, occupational practices and the community.
Eco-friendly management of sucking insect pests in okra with homemade and commercial neem formulations under Punjab conditions
Full text linkSucking insect pests like leaf hopper, Amrasca bigutulla bigutulla (Ishida) and whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) pose a great threat to the high production of okra fruit. Being vegetable crop, it is eaten as raw and cooked, but due to attack of pest numbers of sprays were done at weekly interval to manage this pest. To reduce the pesticides load on crop and human body the botanical based biorational were in use. So there is need for eco-friendly management of these sucking pests so as to reduce the pesticide load in the okra crop. Neem and its formulations as botanical insecticides can play an important role against sucking insect pests and as an alternative to chemical insecticides. Experiments were conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana during 2018 and 2019. Neem formulations Ecotin 5% @ 200 mL and PAU homemade neem extract @ 3000 mL per hectare were found effective for the management of leaf hopper and whitefly in okra. The present finding will help in reducing the pesticide load on vegetable crops and enhance natural enemy biodiversity.
Indigenous pest management practices in rice ecosystem of Assam, India
Full text linkThe indigenous pest management practices (IPMPs) adopted in rice farming in Assam were identified along with the farmers’ perception levels on their efficacy and the scientific rationality as judged by the agricultural scientists. Data were collected from 120 farmers of Nalbari district and validated by 25 scientists of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. The result reveals that out of 33 identified practices, - 6 are highly effective and 10 are moderately effective as perceived by the farmers. A total of 21 practices have been rated to be rational by most of the scientists. Out of the 8 plant-origin IPMPs, all were rational with high and medium efficacy score, whereas out of 16 cultural IPMPs, only 6 (37.5%) were rational with only 2 practices with high and medium efficacy. No botanical practice was judged as irrelevant by any scientist. The effective and rational practices may be validated further in other agro-climatic regions in order to popularize them as a part of Integrated Pest Management module. The rational IPMPs can also be screened to assess its efficacy against the recently invaded crop-pests in Assam.