INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHEMICAL SCIENCES ISSN: 22775005

Research Article Ethnomedicinal uses of some pteridophytes from Konkan region of Maharashtra, India.

Shakil D. Shaikh1*, VP. Masal2 and Anisa S. Shaikh3 1Department of Botany, Abasaheb Marathe College, Rajapur, Maharashtra, India. 2Dapoli Urban Bank’s Science College, Dapoli, Maharashtra, India. 3Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. ______

ABSTRACT In the present investigation the studies were carried out for utilization of pteridophytes by the local people and tribes in the treatment of various diseases from Rajapur and its adjoining areas of Ratnagiri district. The information regarding their medicinal uses was collected by visiting different areas and from the local practitioners such as vaidoos and elder villagers. The results obtained are very interested and tabulated with their uses and common names.

Keywords: Ethonomedicine, Pteridophytes, Konkan, Maharashtra, vaidoos.

INTRODUCTION distribution of pteridophytes have been There are over 53 million tribal people in India published from time to time but enough belonging to 550 communities of 227 ethnic attention has not been waged towards their groups1. These tribal communities draw their useful aspects. Therefore in the present sustenance largely from forests for food, investigation an attempt has been made to medicine and other requirements1-2. Forests explore indigenous and ethnomedicinal uses represent a whole way of life for tribal peoples of pteridophytes. and as such their life and economy are, therefore, intimately interwoven with the METHODOLOGY forests and forest wealth3. Pteridophytes are Frequent visits have been carried out during much neglected group of plants having 12, 000 2006-2012 in rainy, winter and summer species occur in the world flora of which about seasons. The standard methods have been more than 1,000 species into 70 families and followed for the collection of pteridophytes 191 genera likely to occur in India4. Out of along the different areas of Ratnagiri district7-9. 1,000 species of Pteridophytes occurring in In the present study an intensive survey was India, 170 species have been found to be used made at various places namely, Sawantwadi, as food, flavor, dye, medicine, bio-fertilizers, Sindhudurg, Kankawali, Rajapur, Ratnagiri, oil, fiber and bio-gas production5. The Jaitapur and small villages adjoining to these medicinal value of Pteridophytes against areas. The information was collected from the bacteria, fungi, virus, cancer rheumatism, local practisners such as vaidoos and elder diabetes, inflammation, consultant, fertility, villagers. After collection of plant material diuretic, pesticides, heptoprotective, and herbariums were prepared. All the authentic sedative had been reported. Besides sugar, identification of specimens was done with the starch, proteins and amino acids, ferns contain help of fern floras5, 9-10. The field data were a variety of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, collected on plant parts used; its collection, terpenoids, sterols, phenols sesquitorpens etc. preparation of drugs, its dosage and as potential components used in various administration. The local names of the plants industries6. were recorded. The local names of plants also In comparison to higher plants they have found sometimes give indications of morphological little applications in medicine. The tribal characters, habitat or use of the plant. communities, ethic groups and folklore throughout the world are utilizing their plant RESULTS parts like rhizome, stem, fronds, pinnae and During survey it was observed that the Konkan spore in various ways for the treatment of region still away from development in transport various ailments since ancient time. and medical facilities. Therefore most of the It was observed that the number of villagers depend on local practitioners even for contributions about the taxonomy, ecology and serious diseases. They are utilizing

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angiosperm plants in addition to these ferns made by boiling plant parts in water, decanting and fern allies full fill their curative requirement of the liquid and drinking after cooling. Paste of through folk medicine. In the present study some plants is plastered to set dislocated or nearly 22 species of Pteridophytes from the fractured bones or muscular pain. area are enumerated (Table 1) with botanical In the recent years it was observed that name, family, common name, parts used and traditional knowledge of plants in many medicinal uses in Table-1 communities from this region is changing because of rapid socioeconomic and cultural DISCUSSION changes. The indigenous knowledge from The present study showed that numbers of Konkan region communities and local people pteridophytic species are having medicinal regarding uses of pteridophytes needs to be importance in the study region. Among all 22 secured. Appropriate mechanisms for effective species mentioned above 21 species are benefits sharing of potential value of this common and abundantly present except knowledge need to be developed. Ophioglossum. The traditional healers who Documentation of this knowledge is valuable prepare remedies also serve as both for the communities and their future diagnosticians, identifying causes of illness generations and for scientific consideration of before prescribing treatment. The dose given wider uses of the knowledge. to the patient depends on age, physical status and health conditions of the patient. The ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS method of use of plants varies according to The authors are thankful to Scientist experts nature of disease. In the majority of the cases, from NBRI, Lucknow and Indian fern Society a decoction of various parts of plants used is members for helping in identification of plants. administered for treating a disease or Authors are also thankful to knowledge diseases. Most of the decoctions are made providers for providing valuable information just by crushing the plant parts but some are and sharing their findings.

Table 1: Medicinally important ferns and fern allies from Konkan region of Maharashtra Name of the species Parts Medicinal uses Sr. No. Common Name with family used i) Paste of frond is applied on forehead. ii) Young fronds are cooked and used as Acrostichum auraum L. 1. Neche Fronds vegetable. Pteridaceae iii) The fronds are used as broom making and fish attractions. Actinioptris radiate (J. 2. Koenig ex Sw.) Link Morpankhi Whole plant Astringent, antihelmintic and styptic Pteridaceae Adiantum capillus-veneris, 3. L. Mayurshikhi Whole plant Diuretic and astringent Adiantaceae Adiantum caudatum,L. Fronds, Cough and fever. 4. Mayurshikha Adiantaceae Rhizomes Antihelmintic i) To treat cough, bronchitis, catarrh, store Mayurshikhi, throat and chronic nasal catarrh. Adiantum philippense L. Ghodpavali, Bedki, ii) Fronds are also used for skin disease 5. subsp. philippense Whole plant jiwali, Ghodyachi and low fever. Adiantaceae gibha,Kale. iii) Rachis is used for making handicraft caps. Angiopteris helferiana 6. C.Presl Ghora top Rhizomes Used against Scabies Marattiaceae Athyrium i) The decoction frond and rhizome used hohenackerianum, as strong antirheumatic and anthelmintic. 7. -- Fronds, Rhizome (Kunze.) T.Moore. ii) The rhizome paste applied on the place Woodsiaceae of scorpion bite. Then it get relief. i) The mature plant decoction is used for wound healings of cattels. ii) The decoction also used for cold and fever. (Dose-one teaspoonful in a day up Cheilanthes farinosa, to 3 days 8. (Forssk.) Kaulf. Pandhar Whole plant iii) The whole mature plant decoction, Pteridaceae about two teaspoonfuls once a day is recommended in removal of different intestinal worms and also good remedy for peptic ulcer.

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i) The paste of plant is applied to treat Christella parasitica,(L.) backache. 9. H.Lev. Panpatti. Fronds ii) Decoction of mature leaf is used for hair Thelypteridaceae wash. Dicranopteris Fronds linearis,(Burm. f.) Asthma, women’s sterility. 10. Thicket Fern Rhizome Underwood Antihelmintic

Gleicheniaceae i) Young fronds are used as vegetables. ii) The one teaspoonful juice once a day is given in malaria fever. Diplazium esculentum, iii) It is used as fodder. 11. (Retz.) Sw. Katarphala. Whole plant iv) Decoction of leaves is applied to treat Woodsiaceae scabies. v) The leaf juice is a good tonic for cough, asthma and jaundice. i) Fronds are used poulticing against swellings. ii) Leaf extract used on ears puse. iii) Young fronds are used as cattle fodder Drynaria quercifolia,(L.) J. in some part of study area. Bashing, Wanar 12. Smith. Whole plant iv) 50 gm rhizome mixed to meat curry (1/2 bashing,Pankadha Polypodiaceae liter) and consume 7 to 8 days .then sever pile will cover within a eight days . v) The rhizome and leaves are antihelmintic and expectorant. vi) The plant juice used in low fever. Leprosy, antifungal, Swellings , ulcers and 13. Dryopteris cochleata Kakolisag Rhizomes pains i) Decoction of fronds is applied to treat chronic cuts and wounds. ii) Juice of plant about one teaspoonful once a day during bed time is prescribed Lygodium flexuosum, Chitrangi, Malya, to anthelmintic for expulsion of intestinal 14. (L.)Sw. Wanashiwel, Whole plant worms. Lygodiaceae jakhamjodi ii) Decoction of fronds is drunk to cure jaundice. iv) Juice is used as antirheumatic. v) The rhizome paste is applied on piles. Marsilea minuta,L. 15. Water Clover Leaves Cough and bronchitis Marsileaceae i) Tender portion are cooked as Ophioglossum reticulatum, vegetables. And paste of root is applied 16. L. Whole plant on wounds ii) The warm decoction of Ophiloglossaceae rhizome used as a lotion for burns. i) The young frond decoction used in kidney trouble. Pityrogramma ii) Decoction of leaves used to cure the ox 17. calomelanos,(L.) Link. Whole plant and cattel wounds present on neck.

Pteridaceae iii) The juice of leaves and rachis about one teaspoonful once a day is given relief gastric disorders and it is a antihelmintic. Rhizomes Pteridium aquilinum,(L.) Antihelmintic and astringent.

18. Kuhn v Deck. Bracken Fern Rhizome and Dennstaedtiaceae Chronic disorders fronds i) The aqueous extract of fronds and rhizome are used on wound healing. Pteris vittata L. subsp. ii) They are boiled with four time water and 19. Vittata Whole plant drunk as tonic. Pteridaceae iii) The whole young or mature plants are used as fodder. Selaginella tenera, (Hook 20. &Grev.) Spring. Sajivani Dried plants Diuretic gonorrhoea and hallucination Selaginellaceae i) Paste of plant is applied on cuts and wounds. ii) The leaf juice is used on low fever (one Selaginella delicatula, spoonful in a day) 21. (Desv) Alston. Whole plant iii) The juice/ poultice of leaf and stem

Selaginellaceae extract covered over child head during high fever. iv) Tender young portions are fried in edible oil and are given to woman after

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delivery to stop the bleeding. i) Leaves are used as anthelminthic. Tectaria coadunata (Wall. ii) The decoction of rhizome is given in 22. ex Hook. & Grev.) C.Chr. Wadchavali. Whole plant stomachache of children. Dryopteridaceae iii) The leaves decoction is used as good remedy on asthma bronchitis.

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